"It's just like following a recipe! I can do that!"
         One of the 300,000 older adults who have used Generations on Line; 99% would recommend it to a friend 
                            Easy, fast, free digital skills training for elders

We provide free, simple step-by-step instructions on every screen. This is such a help when your short-term memory is overloaded from decades of living. In large type, plain English, age-appropriate icons and language, this evidence-based interactive training overcomes the barriers of skill and intimidation. Reducing social isolation among elders is incredibly important for their well-being. Offering digital skills not only helps them stay connected with loved ones but also opens up a whole new world of opportunities for learning and engagement.

• Generations on Line can guide someone who has never touched a computer learn to use the Internet, email, texting, photos, apps, videochats, and the all basic tools on any tablet or smartphone, so they can better participate in the cyber world of endless possibilities. 99% elders tested would recommend it to a friend; 87% mastered the training in less than four one-hour sessions.
   
• Interactive safety training for anyone needing better control of their safety on the Internet golhelp.org/internetsafety
   
• Our variety of trainings can be used through golhelp.org (nothing to download) including how to:
  • Learn Internet basics - from how to interact with the device (tapping, swiping, etc) to searching, texting, video calling, email, how to use apps, the camera and YouTube. If an elder can search and use YouTube - the information available to them is endless!
  • Use telehealth
  • Use a QR code
  • Find and sign up for a vaccine locally
  • Find and read a newspaper online
  • Find and apply for employment online 
     

• During social distancing during COVID, we created Family Guides generationsonline.org/family to help you find the right device, connectivity, and training to help an older friend or relative, even when you can't be there in person.

And....It's free!

Please support the work of Generations on Line. We are a 501(c)3 public charity. Your gift of any amount will be sincerely appreciated. Please donate now  
Consider using Amazon Smile - to contribute to us or your other favorite charity as you shop.

Our Story

"Oh no Dear, I'm too old; I'm too dumb!"

Once upon a time the elders in a community knew more than the children. Then, when new tools in cyberspace arose and began their rapid rise in the late 90's, younger generations quickly caught on or were taught in school or business. But elders of "a certain age" were less inclined to tackle the new expensive computers, with their mice and memes. We saw the disconnect: the less mobile who might benefit most from the connections, convenience, and cost-free Internet were least likely to use it. They were confused, intimidated, uninterested, and left out. When we began in 1999, 86% of those aged 65 and older were not on "the information superhighway;" as it was called. "Oh no, dear, I'm too old; I'm too dumb" to learn, they told us.

Generations on Line (GoL) set out to simplify these tools in order to foster and promote Internet literacy, access, and skills to the elderly and overcome their fear of the new electronic media. We created, tested, and developed on-screen tutorials that guide a senior step-by step with age-friendly instructions in large type and plain English, respectfully and clearly.

In a national launch of Generations on Line on September 7, 2000, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for the first time announced Digital Inclusion for Seniors, urged children to send their grandparents an email through Generations on Line, and our nonprofit program took off around the country. Our secret sauce is in the software. Developed with experts in older adult learning, and tested, for months in multi-centered trials, the original program has trained more than 200,000 older adults, most of whom had never touched a computer — although some were the first to work with IBM punch card technology.

We provide tablet and smartphone training in two ways — to institutions and to individuals.

For institutions that serve seniors, we offer our no-cost tablet/smartphone programs along with supportive materials (also at no cost). The tablet/smartphone training, pioneered with the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and funded by the Pennsylvania Department on Aging, is a comprehensive program called a Sip & Swipe Cafe^®. We have served thousands of facilities, including assisted living and retirement centers, HUD subsidized housing, senior centers and public libraries. See Getting Started for more information. Feel free to contact Katie Burke to learn specifics (under Contact Us)

For individuals, caregivers, and families, we provide our tablet and smartphone trainings through www.golhelp.org During our history, we have worked with organizations to developed tutorial that simplify the Internet for seniors seeking specific tasks — from the Medicare Part D Plan Finder to the Social Security website. We pioneered a Workforce Development training program for institutions that helps retirees who need to learn how to find part-time employment online, as newspaper ads disappear and most applications require digital submission. 

Our story is the story of embracing and always including "The Paper Generation."
 

Staff

Tobey Gordon Dichter, M.Ed.

GoL founder and CEO, Tobey Gordon Dichter, was named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Aging by PBS Next Avenue in October, 2015. Ms. Dichter is the former Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs and Executive Committee Member at SmithKline Beecham Healthcare Services (now Glaxo SmithKline), a worldwide healthcare company. She was known for the first corporate television news program for employees worldwide, and later as the founder of the Drug Testing Index and repositioning Pap Screening from a finite test to a screen. Ms. Dichter left SmithKline in 1999 to pursue Generations on Line. She has served on the Boards of The Free Library of Philadelphia (chair), Maternity Care Coalition, The Philadelphia School, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The Wilma Theater, and The Philadelphia Film Society. Ms. Dichter is a frequent speaker and consultant on the digital divide. She is the full-time, unpaid chief executive of the organization, responsible for strategic direction, partnership development, finance, and Board and public relations.

Vasil J. Pappas, Jr., M.B.A.

Founder of Precision Media Works, Mr. Pappas is a Philadelphia-area producer of print and electronic communications. He is the former vice president and general manager of United Press International's business news and financial information division, a former Wall Street Journal reporter, and the founding editor of the National Business Employment Weekly. He is an officer and board member of the Harvard Business School Alumni Association. As COO, Mr. Pappas is responsible for strategic planning, security, and oversight of Generations on Line service.

Michael Pierce, M.Div.

Director of Training and Technology, Mr. Pierce has been in computer technology and training for 20 years, with a multigenerational focus. As the former Director for Information Technology for the Association for Education of Young Children, a nonprofit youth agency, and a Pastor, he brings the unique combination of training and counseling, troubleshooting and communication to seniors. He holds a BS in Religion and Philosophy with a Minor in Computer Science, and a Masters of Divinity. Mr. Pierce oversees GoL's software and backend programming, runs the GoL Help Desk, and creates  new software editions and upgrades. He is a recognized and lauded speaker at national aging network meetings.

Katie Burke, M.B.A.

GoL Administrator, and Sip & Swipe project manager, Ms. Burke joined us in 2005. She was formerly with Chilton Research Services, as market research project director. She holds a B.S. with concentration in marketing from Villanova University and an M.B.A. from Villanova University. An active community volunteer, she has chaired and coordinated events and raised significant funding for a range of church, school, health and childcare projects. Currently she helps mentor a high school robotics team. Ms. Burke manages project flow, database, client service, and market research.

Generations on Line
2021 Board of Directors and Advisors

A.E. Casey,MPAff

Advisor, Social COnnectedness, AARP FOUNDATION
Pronouns: they/them/their

Janett Aponte, B.A.

Mayor's Commission on Aging Outreach Specialist. The Commission leads the development of policy and strategies to support health, safety, and security for Philadelphians ages 55 and older.

John Beilenson, M.A.

President, Strategic Communications & Planning, consultants to not-for-profit organizations, particularly in the field of aging, Editorial director of Infoaging.org for American Federation for Aging Research, author/editor of 16 books related to aging.

*H.E. Broadbent, Ph.D.

Former Director of Information Technology, The Free Library of Philadelphia and former head of Task force on seniors and youth, American Library Association. Secretary.

Humphrey Chen, M.B.A.

Senior Vice President Corporate Development, Independence Banc; former Vice President Verizon; previous VP Microsoft

Rennie Cohen, B.S.

Consultant, Aging Positively llc. Former Executive Director of Center in the Park (29 years), former Vice-President of the National Council on Aging's (NCOA) National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC), founding President of the Pennsylvania Association of Senior Centers, and former President of the Philadelphia Association of Senior Center Administrators.

*Tobey Gordon Dichter, M.Ed.

Unpaid CEO and Founder of Generations on Line; former Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs and Executive Committee Member at SmithKline Beecham Healthcare Services (now GlaxoSmithKline).

*Brian Duke, MHA, MBE

System Director, Senior Services, Main Line Health; Former Secretary of Aging, Pennsylvania; previously, Pennsylvania Department of Aging, Bucks County Area Agency on Aging, New Jersey Foundation for Aging

Cecilia Garcia, Benton Foundation Senior Advisor, B.A. (emeritus)

Former Adviser to the Benton Foundation on issues related to broadband adoption challenges for low-income seniors. Executive Director 1997-2013. Former press secretary for Bob Filner (D-CA) a Member of the U.S House of Representatives. Communications director for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, a national Latino nonprofit organization, and producer at WTVS, Detroit's public television station. Media & Democracy Coalition Board of Directors.

John Gonzales

Project Director, Senior Community Service Employment Program, and Immediate Past Interim Director, Mayor's Commission on Aging, within the Health and Human Services Cabinet.

Kathy Gosliner, M.B.A., M.Ed. (emeritus)

Consultant and former Associate Director and Vice President of Development, Free Library of Philadelphia system of 55 branches.

*Kathryn Jedrziewski, Ph.D.

Deputy Director, Institute on Aging, University of Pennsylvania. Deputy Director for Administration, Alzheimer's Disease Center

Jeremy Kramer, B.S. economics

Converged Products and Platforms, Comcast Corporation

Julie Nelson

Manager, Philadelphia Senior Center on the Avenue of the Arts
Third largest senior center in the country. Member New Courtland.

*Michael Marcus, Ph.D. (abd), M.S.W.

Principal, Consultants for Community Resources, a national network of experts providing critical services to change makers.
Former Program Director, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. Former Sr. Program Officer Chicago Community Trust.

*Bruce Melgary, M.S.

Senior Fellow, Drexel University Center for Cultural Partnerships
Former Executive Director, The Lenfest Foundation, The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation and The Allerton Foundation

Wanda Rodriguez-Mercado

Project Coordinator, National Association for Hispanic Elderly

Quynh Mai-Nguyen

Independent graphic designer, adjunct professor at Temple University's Tyler School of Art and creative lead at Philabundance
Co-founder and former Creative Director of Jay Social Web Design firm.

David Nevison

Past Associate Executive Director, Planning and Development, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

Grahame Richards, J.D.

Program Director, The Lenfest Foundation

Karen Washington, B.S.

Assistant Director of Community Engagement - Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

*Sean Wechter, M.B.A.

Chief Information Officer, Qlik, Inc; former Senior Vice President of Digital Technology and Product Development at TEGNA Corporation; VP Comcast Corporation

Cathy Wilt, M.L.S.; M.Ed

Executive Director, PALCI Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium, Inc., representing major college, university and research libraries in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, and New York.

Ann Wrixon

Executive Director, Independent Adoption Center, Former President and CEO, SeniorNet

*Directors have governance responsibility

Our Programs

Generations on Line creates new training programs to help older adults as technology evolves. Our simple tutorials provide step-by-step instructions in large type and plain English, with familiar icons on every screen — always there; no need to recall how to perform a task. The free and immediate connection to everything could be so beneficial to older adults who grew up in an analog world. We overcome the barriers of access, skill, and intimidation. We help them learn easily, quickly and at no cost:

The basics

Teaches use of the touchscreen, the on-screen keyboard, navigating the desktop, and how to use voice recognition. We also provide a Safety on the Internet module.

The web

Helps participants master the basics of using Google to search the Internet.

Email, texting, video calling

Walks new users through the process of setting up and accessing Gmail on a tablet or phone, text messaging, and video calling (Skype, Zoom, FaceTime).

More

Explains how to take and view photographs on the tablet or phone, how to obtain and use apps, and how to access YouTube videos to use for both entertainment and as a learning tool.

Training options

Tablet and smartphone training programs for individuals

This is computer training reduced to reading a recipe! Just load the free Generations on Line tutorial — either the web version or APP version onto an Apple, Amazon Fire, or Android tablet, or a smartphone (full sized tablet is best for older eyes) and have your older student read the simple instructions out loud and follow them.

Sip & Swipe Café — training programs for use by organizations

A Sip & Swipe Café, offered at locations that serve seniors (e.g. senior centers, retirement centers and public libraries), requires only a few web-enabled tablets, a volunteer coach, and perhaps some coffee or tea! GoL provides a volunteer coach's kit, tips strips, checklist of accomplishments for the user, and a guide to help your organization start up and successfully run a Sip & Swipe Café, with minimal staff intervention and no cost. Use this link to request materials.

A growing selection of online training tools

In addition to helping our elders master the functions of mobile devices, Generations on Line provides a growing list of tutorials to help with specific tasks such as: accessing vaccination sites; job hunting online; finding and reading digital newspapers; and more. These are all available free of charge at golhelp.org

Desktop computer training

GoL desktop training, used by more than 2000 sites across North America, was retired as email became easier, and tablet prices decreased. We continue to maintain the program as a legacy for existing users.

Questions?

Email us, or call Katie Burke at 215-222-6400.

Get Started

The first step in helping your favorite elders learn how to use the Internet is to get the free GoL App set up on a tablet or phone or send a web link; demonstrate how to find and open it. Insist that they read the directions out loud and perform each task with their own hands. It is best if the coach offers only verbal guidance and resists the temptation to touch the screen. You can also ask your local library or senior center if they already offer, or would like to set up a Sip & Swipe Café. We will give the program to any organization interested in helping older adults.

For individuals

If you would like to get older friends or relatives online, and agree to be their coach, bookmark the www.golhelp.org website on their device or the specific tutorial you will be using. 

For organizations and facilities

If your organization or facility serves seniors and would like to establish a Sip & Swipe Café tablet-training program, tap on the link at the bottom of this pag to learn more. 

Questions?

Call Katie Burke at 215-222-6400

Frequently Asked Questions

News

Meet Generations on Line CEO and Founder Tobey Dichter
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, April, 2024

Generations on Line releases New Self Help Training on Safer Internet Day
January 31, 2024

New Tool Helps Techno Timid Seniors Find COVID Booster Sites - MyChesCo

November 16, 2023 story released nationwide

Generations on Line releases new QR Code Help for seniors
See more information here 

Aided by City grant program, local non-profit is helping adult learners find jobs online

New Job hunting tutorials featured in City paper

With more than 800 colleagues at the National Digital Literacy Alliance Net Inclusion Conference, the Benton Institute awarded Tobey Dichter this honor.

If you have any questions about our programs or practices, please contact:

Generations on Line Administration Center
3637 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

215.222.6400
Katie Burke

Tobey Dichter, CEO
215.922.3244

Katie Burke, Administrator
215.222.6400

VJ Pappas, COO
215.222.6400

Michael H. Pierce, Director of Technology
267.997.3785

Give the gift of infinite wonders to our elders

Your gift of any amount will be sincerely appreciated, and serve to introduce the wonders and benefits of the world wide web to deserving seniors. Fill in any amount you wish, and click or touch the "Donate" button. You will be guided through next steps.

These are just a few examples of the good your gift could do:

$5.99 covers the real cost of one downloaded app
$150 gets 10 older adults trained online!
$350 buys PC training for a senior center or library
$500 implements Spanish and English training at a senior center of library
$1000 trains 100 retirees to find and apply for jobs online

Thank you for your generosity.