A 61-year-old grandfather and music aficionado from Co. Wicklow was crowned the overall winner of the Google Silver Surfer Awards with Age Action. David Lowen regularly streams music, listens to Spotify and is the owner of an extensive music collection on his computer.
Since retiring from from his job in banking, meant that Lowen could fully embrace the digital world and indulge his love of music. He learned how to shop online, bank online, book holidays online and use Google Translate to talk to a family relative living in Peru. His latest project is a digital photography course and he hopes to build an impressive photography collection.
Other awards today went to Anne Egan, Dundalk, Co Louth, for IT Tutor of the Year; Seamus Harkin (76), Creeslough, Donegal, for the Hobbies on the Net Award; Michael Gorman (86), Sandymount, Dublin 4, for the Golden IT Award; and Austin McPartlin (56), Navan, Co Meath, for the New to IT Award.
Sinead Gibney, head of social action at Google, said: "It is just amazing to see the quality of entrants in this year’s awards, all of our winners stories demonstrate how using the Internet, has given them increased independence as well as a chance to connect with more people and pursue their interests. We’re passionate about digital literacy for older people and are delighted to sponsor these awards."
Age Action chief executive Robin Webster said: "It is important that we encourage as many older people as possible to learn how to use computers and new technology. These technologies enable older people to play a full part in their communities. New technology, as today’s winners show, can dramatically enhance the quality of older people’s lives."
TechCentral Reporters
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers