Amelia Christie and Isabella Dunn show Antoinette De Battista (left) how to use a mobile phone.Picture: SYLVIA LIBER
Some of Wollongong's senior citizens will be transformed from technological novices into Skype, text and email whizzes through a new program at St Mary Star of the Sea College.
During a month-long partnership between the school and CatholicCare, the program will involve year 11 "teachers" who will educate "students" in their 70s and 80s about how to use the latest gadgets and technology.
Jean Turnbull said she hoped to finally learn how to use her mobile phone.
"I've had a mobile since 1995 and I still don't know how to use it very well," the 85-year-old grandmother said.
"I just want to know how to retrieve a message and stay in contact with my family and friends, because they can all do it and I can't."
St Mary's student Laura Sheehy said she hoped to learn as much as she would teach.
"For me it's not just about what I'm teaching them, but what they can teach us in terms of life experience," she said.
"But I do think text messaging is really important, because I love texting my grandparents and it's a really cool way to easily stay in touch."
CatholicCare volunteer program officer Cynzia Dei-Cort said the workshop had been developed because of a need for seniors to learn about modern technology.
"Isolation is a big issue facing the aged population and not knowing how to use technology can exacerbate this," Ms Dei-Cort said.