Before You Begin

Required Permission

Everyone

Intended Audience

• Seniors
• Older Australians
• Technology beginners

Prerequisites

• Getting Comfortable with Technology
• Understanding Your Device
• Connecting to the Internet

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

• Make and receive phone calls.
• Send and receive text messages.
• Send and receive emails.
• Make video calls.
• Share photos with family and friends.
• Understand the differences between communication apps.

Main Content

Welcome

One of the biggest benefits of technology is staying connected with the people who matter most.

Whether your family lives nearby or on the other side of the world, your phone, tablet or computer makes it easy to keep in touch.

In this module, you'll learn the most common ways people communicate using modern technology.

What You'll Learn

You'll learn how to:

• Make phone calls
• Send text messages
• Send emails
• Use WhatsApp
• Make video calls
• Share photos

Lesson 1 — Making Phone Calls

Phone calls are still one of the easiest ways to talk to someone.

To make a call:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap Contacts or Keypad.
3. Select the person you want to call.
4. Tap the green phone button.

To answer a call:

• Tap Answer, or
• Swipe the green phone icon, depending on your device.

When you've finished, tap the red phone button to end the call.

Lesson 2 — Sending Text Messages

Text messages (SMS) are short written messages sent between mobile phones.

They're great for:

• Saying hello
• Letting someone know you're running late
• Asking a quick question
• Sending reminders

To send a message:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Start a new message.
3. Choose a contact.
4. Type your message.
5. Tap Send.

Lesson 3 — Understanding Email

Email is like sending a digital letter.

People often use email for:

• Bills
• Receipts
• Booking confirmations
• Newsletters
• Government services
• Longer conversations

Common email providers include:

• Gmail
• Outlook
• Yahoo Mail

Most emails arrive within a few seconds.

Lesson 4 — Sending an Email

To send an email:

1. Open your email app.
2. Select Compose or New Email.
3. Enter the person's email address.
4. Write a short subject.
5. Type your message.
6. Select Send.

Before sending, take a moment to read your email to make sure everything looks correct.

Lesson 5 — Using WhatsApp

WhatsApp is one of the world's most popular messaging apps.

You can use it to:

• Send messages
• Make phone calls
• Make video calls
• Send photos
• Share videos
• Send voice messages

WhatsApp uses your internet connection rather than your mobile phone plan for most communication.

Many families use WhatsApp to stay connected every day.

Lesson 6 — Making Video Calls

Video calls allow you to see and hear the person you're talking to.

Popular video calling apps include:

• FaceTime (Apple devices)
• WhatsApp
• Zoom
• Microsoft Teams
• Google Meet

To make a video call:

1. Open the app.
2. Select the person you want to call.
3. Tap the video camera icon.

Video calls are a wonderful way to stay connected with family, especially grandchildren and relatives who live interstate or overseas.

Lesson 7 — Sharing Photos

Sharing photos is a great way to keep family updated.

You can share photos through:

• Text messages
• Email
• WhatsApp
• Facebook Messenger

Usually, you'll simply tap the Photo or Attachment icon and choose the picture you want to send.

Lesson 8 — Understanding Contacts

Your Contacts list stores important phone numbers and email addresses.

Instead of remembering everyone's phone number, simply save them as a contact.

You can include:

• Name
• Mobile number
• Home number
• Email address
• Birthday
• Address

Keeping your contacts organised makes communication much easier.

Lesson 9 — Staying Safe When Communicating

While most messages are genuine, it's important to stay alert.

Never:

• Share passwords.
• Share banking details by message.
• Click suspicious links.
• Respond to unexpected prize messages.
• Give remote access to your device unless you're certain who you're speaking with.

If something feels unusual, ask a trusted family member before responding.

Practice Activity

Spend some time practising your communication skills.

Try to:

✅ Make a phone call.

✅ Send a text message.

✅ Send an email.

✅ Reply to an email.

✅ Share a photo with a family member.

✅ Make a video call.

Tips for Success

✔ Keep your most important contacts saved.

✔ Don't worry about making mistakes—you can always try again.

✔ Practice sending messages to a trusted friend or family member.

✔ Keep your phone charged.

✔ Use video calls regularly to become more comfortable.

Summary

Technology makes staying connected easier than ever.

Whether you're making a phone call, sending an email or chatting over a video call, each new skill helps you stay in touch with the people who matter most.

With regular practice, these everyday tasks will soon become second nature.

Key Takeaways

• Phone calls, texts and emails all have different purposes.
• WhatsApp and video calls help you stay connected wherever you are.
• Saving contacts makes communication easier.
• Always be cautious of unexpected messages or requests for personal information.
• The more you practise, the more confident you'll become.

Next Module

➡ Internet Basics

Learn how to search the web, visit websites safely, use Google effectively and find trustworthy information online.

Need a Hand?

If you'd like help setting up email, WhatsApp or video calling on your own device, Troubleshoot IT offers friendly one-on-one technology training. We'll help you communicate confidently with family and friends, no matter what device you use.