Doug Panic - Round 2, 2017 Champion

Opening doors for seniors through improved digital literacy

Doug Panic’s role teaching seniors about new technologies offers many rewards. For Doug, the real satisfaction comes when his ‘graduates’ use their newfound digital literacy to open doors to new opportunities.

Doug is a Broadband for Seniors volunteer at Logan City Council Libraries; it’s a role he’s been doing since 2013. He runs sessions for groups that range in size from two to eight people. All of his participants have a keen interest in building their digital literacy.

As technology has changed over the time Doug has been volunteering, so too has his training changed. It used to be about simply teaching people how to use the internet, but now the focus is also on instructing how to use different technology such as tablets, GPS for cars and smart phones.

After showing his commitment to growing community digital literacy as a volunteer, in 2016 Doug was appointed as a trainer at the libraries for the Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program and the Technology Trendsetters program. His appointment has continued in 2017, with the Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program funding having been extended until the end of the year.

As a one-off initiative, Doug also trained library staff in Android technology to enhance their skills and to improve their ability to access information online and assist library users. Both users and staff have commented on Doug's passion for and skill in teaching digital technology.

Doug has a degree in computer science and has run his own business as an IT technician. He believes that anyone can repair something, but that trouble-shooting can be difficult.

Doug was first recognised as a Community Digital Champion in 2016. As a continuing Champion, and Broadband for Seniors volunteer, he will continue to build the digital skills of senior library users in his community and to encourage them to participate online.

Doug is nominated by: Logan City Council Libraries

Opening doors for seniors through improved digital literacy

Doug Panic’s role teaching seniors about new technologies offers many rewards. For Doug, the real satisfaction comes when his ‘graduates’ use their newfound digital literacy to open doors to new opportunities.

Doug is a Broadband for Seniors volunteer at Logan City Council Libraries; it’s a role he’s been doing since 2013. He runs sessions for groups that range in size from two to eight people. All of his participants have a keen interest in building their digital literacy.

As technology has changed over the time Doug has been volunteering, so too has his training changed. It used to be about simply teaching people how to use the internet, but now the focus is also on instructing how to use different technology such as tablets, GPS for cars and smart phones.

After showing his commitment to growing community digital literacy as a volunteer, in 2016 Doug was appointed as a trainer at the libraries for the Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program and the Technology Trendsetters program. His appointment has continued in 2017, with the Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland program funding having been extended until the end of the year.

As a one-off initiative, Doug also trained library staff in Android technology to enhance their skills and to improve their ability to access information online and assist library users. Both users and staff have commented on Doug's passion for and skill in teaching digital technology.

Doug has a degree in computer science and has run his own business as an IT technician. He believes that anyone can repair something, but that trouble-shooting can be difficult.

Doug was first recognised as a Community Digital Champion in 2016. As a continuing Champion, and Broadband for Seniors volunteer, he will continue to build the digital skills of senior library users in his community and to encourage them to participate online.

Doug is nominated by: Logan City Council Libraries