Promoting Modern Technology and Internet Access for Under-Represented Older Populations

Abstract

Bridging the Gap, a South Australian research based program, was designed to introduce the concepts of modern technology and some Internet skills to people over 55. Target populations included people in rural areas, those with a first language other than English and people who were frail or had a disability. Informal, interactive, hands-on Carol Irizarry, PhD, a Canadian, is Senior Lecturer at ). She has conducted research with state and federal funding into how technology can contribute to older people's quality of life.Andrew Downing, BSc, BE (Hons.), is Foundation Professor of Engineering (Biomedical) and Dean ). He has encouraged engineering to develop assistive technology and respond to older people's needs. He conducts research in the fields of disability and gerontechnology. ). She is currently undertaking a PhD investigating how technology can assist older people to age successfully. As a social worker, her interest is in aged care and community development.sessions were developed which demonstrated the concepts underpinning modern computer-based devices and their applications in society. Major findings indicated that most participants identified feeling less anxious and more confident about using modern technology after the program and that they were using a new range of computer-based skills.

Introducing computers and the Internet to older users: findings from the Care OnLine project

“…Computers and the Internet have the potential to improve older peoples' quality of life by providing them access to interesting relevant and useful information as well as the opportunity to interact with other people. Generally, older people are willing to use computers but they often experience difficulties in adopting new technology [6,15]. It has been shown that resistance to computers can be overcome by direct experience but also by familiarity engendered by having computers in their environment used by others [6,15].…”

“…Generally, older people are willing to use computers but they often experience difficulties in adopting new technology [6,15]. It has been shown that resistance to computers can be overcome by direct experience but also by familiarity engendered by having computers in their environment used by others [6,15]. Older adults may want to feel part of the modern world and welcome the opportunity that technology may offer to facilitate social contact with their family (e.g., children and grandchildren) who have made computers and the Internet an inherent part of their lives [12].…”

“…Irizzary et al [6] conducted a research based programme called 'bridging the gap' whose aim was to introduce concepts of modern technology and some Internet skills to people over 55 in Australia. In total 359 people had taken part in the programme at the end of March 2000 which consisted of older people attending general technology classes (four modules) and Internet usage classes (three 2 h sessions).…”

“…Age was not a barrier to learning to use the Internet. It was recommended that for certain populations of older people with disadvantages (e.g., financial, physical) special outreach strategies to engage them in learning about computers and the Internet are needed [6]. The Care OnLine (COL) project aimed at achieving this objective.…”

Moving Forward on Digital Inclusion: A framework for integrating research, policy and practice

“…These factors, viewed collectively, reflect how theorists have evolved notions of digital exclusion from initial conceptualisations based principally on access. The factors comprising the technological divide framework were identified as a result of three separate empirical studies featuring a total of 2345 participants (Irizarry, Downing & West, 2002;Irizarry, West & Downing, 2001;West, 2003a;West, 2003b). Understanding that access, knowledge and awareness, learning opportunities and support, and skills all contribute to the successful use of technology performs the dual function of helping researchers to pinpoint appropriate research questions and assisting practitioners at all levels to target social interventions at specific The right hand column entitled "outcomes & process" represents the practical application of the framework in the context of the broader goal to globally improve the social justice outcomes associated with digital exclusion.…”