(Learning Journal) Digital Literacy Volunteer Work @ Glasgow

Because I believe no one has the monopoly to help. No matter what you do, big or small, matters!

Today, I am proud to share the output of my volunteer work today with DigiGallus Connect - a digital literacy volunteer arm of the University. I am journeying with an adult person how to create an email account, write and send an email for the very first time. The adult learner needs this skill to send job applications to gain employment. Despite the odds and unfamiliarity of the platform, we managed to overcome the challenge and I'm happy to share our output (see photo below).

Reflecting on my journey today, I learned that first - empathy is an important aspect adult educators must demonstrate. This enables us to sustain our learners' engagement and ensure that do not feel othered and alienated because we can understand their situation. Secondly, our adult learners are driven to do something but are limited by lack of access and information. We need patience and sense of humour as these will help both the teacher and the learner breeze the tough learning times together. Lastly, we should give the adult learner the space to explore things once we have given them the basics and celebrate once a milestone has been reached. Imagine how I literally jumped for joy when I received my student's first email!

The experience is gratifying knowing that we are opening their world through a simple email. I feel relieved and excited how the first email my student sent will become the key to achieving success in life by getting a job. As educators, their success is our success too. This should be celebrated and made known. It is indeed a transformative experience.

"It worked." Saving it here to continuously inspire my journey. (Information not disclosed as per EU GDPR rules)