Publications and Scholarship
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2005
Keywords
older adults, technology, Sheridan Elder Research Centre
Abstract
Social isolation is an often-cited deterrent to a high quality of life for older persons. This qualitative study, conducted in the fall of 2003, attempted to link generations and decrease social isolation by providing seniors with instruction on computer and Internet use. Eight participants aged 65-73 met weekly to participate in computer classes facilitated by a teacher and a peer. Evaluation methods included self-evaluation, questionnaires, and research field notes. Barriers to computer use identified by older adults in this study included: lack of access, intimidation, lack of training, and lack of time. All participants rated themselves as somewhat skillful following the training provided and all identified computer skills as being indispensable to older adults. Participants rated the training provided in this pilot as useful and identified hopes that further training would be provided at the Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC). The pilot successfully demonstrated the areas that require further research in the area of technology applications for older adults while providing hands-on training to a small sample of interested seniors.
Faculty
Research Centres
School
Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC)
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Copyright
© Sheridan
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Original Publication Citation
Klein, M., & Spadafora, D. (2005). Introducing older persons to benefits of technology . [Report]. Oakville: Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC).
SOURCE Citation
Klein, Marianne and Spadafora, Deanna, "Introducing Older Persons to Benefits of Technology - Report Series # 2" (2005). Publications and Scholarship. 3.
https://source.sheridancollege.ca/centres_elder_publ/3
