From texting tips to cybersecurity: Highlands Ranch Seniors embrace tech learning
Highland Ranch, Colo. (August 19, 2025) - Earlier this summer, the Highlands Ranch Senior Center hosted a full day of Digital Skills Training (DST) at their facility in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Connected Nation (CN) offers these essential skills workshops through a partnership with AT&T Connected Learning.
Anece La Grande, a member of the senior center, prioritized attending both courses offered. “I am grateful for the support and expressed enthusiasm about continuing to learn more about technology,” she said.
Digital skills are essential for everyone, but especially for seniors because they can help improve quality of life, increase independence, and keep them connected. In total, 39 people were trained during the June 26 sessions.
To help more people like La Grande build their skills and feel confident in today’s digital world, CN offers DST workshops both in person and online, at no cost to participants. She attended in-person classes that covered mobile device basics and cybersecurity. These are just two of the courses offered under the DST program. Other topics include computer basics, internet basics, videoconferencing, and email basics.
“One new skill I learned during the session was how to send a courtesy text message to someone calling me while I’m already on another line with someone else,” said La Grande. “It’s a helpful tool for managing calls more politely and efficiently.”
She added that her favorite part of the day was the open lab session, a component of every workshop.
“I received personalized, one-on-one assistance on filling out a PDF form I received via email and emailing it back to the sender,” said La Grande.
Katie Ireland, Fitness & Enrichment Coordinator for the Highlands Ranch Senior Center, was grateful to host this opportunity and help many of their members.
“Everyone walked away happy and said that they learned something new during the classes,” said Ireland. “It was great to offer these classes from an outside source without a fee from them.”
If you’re looking to bring these impactful classes to your community, visit Connected Nation’s Digital Skills Training page to learn more and get started.