Techboomers is an education and discovery website that provides free tutorials of popular websites and Internet-based services in a manner that is accessible to older adults and other digital technology newcomers. Steve Black, our CEO, came up with the idea one day when he was teaching his parents how to use Facebook, and was amazed to find that there were very few tutorials on the Internet that were both easy-to-understand and up-to-date for even the most basic functions of a website as widely-used as Facebook. Not one to pass up an entrepreneurial opportunity, Steve set out to assemble a team of technology experts who could help him fill the need that he had found… and here we are today!
Techboomers has courses on all types of websites, from social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to online shopping at Amazon and Expedia to general tools for living like Google Search and Weather Underground (Wunderground). We also have both text-and-picture and video tutorials, so how you want to learn is up to you.
Sign up for an account, and you can keep track of your progress learning about the services that you're interested in. Just pick a course that you want to track, and check off each tutorial in that course when you've completed it. That way, if you have to take a break in the middle of learning how to use a website, you can come back and pick up right where you left off. When you mark all of the tutorials in a course, the course will show up in your "Completed Courses" section, so you can be proud and reflect on what you've learned! Also, signing up for an account lets you get our weekly newsletter, so you can stay up-to-date on the courses and features that we're rolling out next!
We're bringing "technology" and "baby boomers" together … that's why we're called "Techboomers"! We're here to help you gain confidence with using the Internet to improve your quality of life and expand your social connections.
Who is Techboomers?
Steve Black, Founder and C.E.O.
Steve Black is a serial entrepreneur who came up with the idea for Techboomers while looking for an entrepreneurial opportunity that brought purpose into his life. Having studied software engineering at the University of Waterloo, he specializes in Search Engine Optimization and other online marketing strategies.
Outside of work, he enjoys running with his chocolate lab, Samson, and playing just about any kind of board game. He also played professional poker for two years, winning over $1.5 million in both online cash games and live World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour tournaments.
Corbin Hartwick, Content Writer
Corbin joined Techboomers in October of 2014 as one of its first full-time team members. He is responsible for writing all of the lessons on Techboomers, making sure that they are as informative and easy-to-understand as possible. A graduate of the Master of Arts in Communications and New Media program at McMaster University, Corbin was eager to join the Techboomers team in order to apply his skills in research, writing, and technology.
When not writing for the Techboomers team, Corbin is a video game enthusiast. He also enjoys watching sports, cartoons, and stand-up comedy. When the weather's nice, you can find him riding his bike along the trails of his hometown.
Matt Ossachuk, Marketing and I.T. Specialist
Matt joined the Techboomers team in mid-2015 to help build and maintain partnerships with institutions and organizations that could benefit from what Techboomers does. A graduate of the Bachelor of Business program at McMaster University, Matt was excited by the idea of connecting with libraries and other technology training institutions and offering to supplement their lessons with Techboomers' free material.
When he's not making business calls, Matt likes to play video games, attend concerts, or watch hockey (especially if his favourite team, the Winnipeg Jets, is playing). When he's outdoors, you can usually find him rollerblading around the community, or working on his car in his garage.
Alyson McLeod, Video Producer
Alyson joined Techboomers in December of 2014. She came on board to bring the articles to life by creating videos for the most popular tutorials. Another graduate of McMaster University, Alyson has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Multimedia.
When not behind her computer, she enjoys being behind a microphone. She has presented at student conferences, been a panellist at the Ontario Library Association super conference, and has filled the role of MC for numerous community events.
To unwind, Alyson enjoys a good cup of coffee, organizing brunch among friends, and training to complete her second triathlon.
Abby Stokes, Brand Ambassador and Digital Literacy Strategist
Abby is one of the foremost authorities in North America on teaching computer skills to older adults and other newcomers to digital technology. In-person courses, web seminars, visits to libraries and senior centers, consulting with technology training groups… if there's a way to teach technology, Abby has done it. She's even author of a best-selling digital technology guidebook called Is This Thing On?: A Friendly Guide to Everything Digital for Newbies, Technophobes, and the Kicking & Screaming.
Abby is a firm believer that there is a way for anyone to learn technology… they just have to muster the courage to find it! We are honored to have her as part of the Techboomers team, letting people know about us at her sessions and events.
Linda Black, Tester Extraordinaire
Linda was the main inspiration behind Techboomers. Her desire to learn digital technology was what prompted her son, Steve, to create a website that could teach her and others like her how to use computers and the Internet at their own pace. Now, she provides valuable feedback, insight, and perspective on the courses we offer here at Techboomers. It's thanks to her that we're able to write our tutorials in a language that our users can relate to, regardless of how well they understand digital technology.
