A small intergenerational classroom in Battle Ground is drawing together residents who might not otherwise cross paths: older adults trying to make sense of rapidly changing technology, and high school students who grew up with it. According to reporting by The Columbian, the program has become a space where seniors can ask practical questions, test unfamiliar devices, and work at a pace that feels manageable.

Among the participants is 80-year-old Battle Ground resident Sharon Wodtke, who told the newspaper she misses the simplicity of rotary phones and the comfort of a single handset attached by a coiled cord. Her view reflects a broader challenge faced by many older adults in Clark County: essential services, communication, and even basic daily tasks increasingly require comfort with smartphones, apps, and digital interfaces.

The program pairs seniors with high school volunteers who spend each session walking through individual questions — from navigating touchscreen settings to understanding text message threads to identifying which app controls which function. The Columbian reported that students guide participants one-on-one, demonstrating features step by step and helping them practice until they feel confident using the device independently.

Staff involved with the effort described it to the newspaper as part education, part community-building. Seniors gain access to skills that help them stay connected with family members and local services, while students get the chance to teach, listen, and form relationships across generations. For older adults in Battle Ground who might struggle to keep up with digital expectations, the arrangement offers a rare setting where questions are welcomed and support is patient and consistent.

While the program operates in Battle Ground, its goals mirror regional concerns across Southwest Washington. As more public agencies and private services transition to digital-first systems, access to technology literacy becomes a matter of full civic participation. Intergenerational efforts like this one provide one practical path for closing that gap.

At a moment when many technologies advance faster than residents can adapt, the Battle Ground class demonstrates that a small room, a few cell phones, and a group of willing students can make the digital world feel a little less daunting.

Sources:
The Columbian: Seniors work on tech skills, confidence in class with help from high school students