Cobalts Unveils Exciting Senior Tech Workshops at Esteemed Film Festival

Dawn and Marie Cobalt, part of the tech crew for the Sedona International Film Festival, are set to launch a series of workshops titled “Tech Savvy for Seniors” at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. The first session will take place on June 21 at 11 a.m.

Dawn Cobalt reflects on their history with technology, mentioning, “We were tech when tech started.” Both women, graphic designers by profession, had experience with Macintosh Classic computers during high school, making it second nature for them to navigate digital landscapes.

This workshop series first emerged in California, where they collaborated with a nonprofit to introduce seminars covering topics like medical apps and social media. After relocating to Sedona, Dawn noticed a concerning headline: “AI is going to pass the boomer generations by.” This sparked her desire to revive their workshop initiative.

The monthly workshops will start with an introduction to iPhone basics and will expand into various subjects such as email essentials, social media navigation, and safe online shopping. The Cobalts aim to tailor each session to prevent overwhelming participants with too much information.

“Everyone’s very excited,” Dawn stated, expressing confidence in meeting a local demand for tech education tailored to seniors. If interest grows, additional sessions may be added at local libraries or senior centers.

Workshop tickets are available for $30, increasing to $35 on the day of the event. Marie emphasized the value of these sessions, stating, “I think that was kind of like what the board of directors were interested in — workshops.”

The workshops aim to empower seniors, addressing everyday challenges such as mobile device usage and online scams. Dawn highlighted, “We want to help prevent that,” referencing personal experiences with digital fraud that have impacted community members.

“What more comfortable place to do it than a place they know so well?” Marie noted, referring to the theatre as a familiar environment for attendees. The goal is not merely to instruct but to boost confidence and foster independent learning.

Insights from their sessions reveal that perceived challenges often stem from a lack of knowledge rather than the devices themselves. “Education knocks the fear away,” Dawn asserted, emphasizing the cognitive benefits of learning new skills at any age.

“Sedona will be a town of tech-savvy seniors,” she predicted, hinting at a future where community members navigate technology with ease.