Abstract
Older adults are under increasing pressure to use information technologies, yet are reluctant to learn computer software due to difficulties with ways of teaching such skills. This paper argues that examining tutoring techniques in a community computer training centre is useful to discovering why they will persist with learning. Using a Grounded Theory study design, the theory that emerged that accounted for continuance was the tutoring practices and the relationships that were built between tutor and learner. Examples from the data are presented to support the findings that link certain ways of practicing computer tutoring with repeat lesson attendance. This paper contributes to understanding the types of tutoring practices that can encourage older learners to continue the learning journey in later life. In turn, this assists with overcoming the digital divide older learners not skilled in computer use experience and allows them to participate in an increasing technologically driven society.
Chapter PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Charness, N., Schuman, C.E., Boritz, G.M.: Training Older Adults in Word Processing: Effect of Age, Training Technique, and Computer Anxiety. Int. J. Tech. and Aging. 5, 79–106 (1992)
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), Understanding the Digital Divide (2001), http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/38/57/1888451.pdf
Danowski, J., Sacks, W.: Computer Communication and the Elderly. Experimental Aging Research 6(2), 125–135 (1980)
Adams, N., Stubbs, D., Woods, V.: Psychological Barriers to Internet usage among Older Adults in the UK. Medical Informatics & the Internet in Medicine 30(1), 3–17 (2005)
Bostrom, R.P., Olfman, L., Sein, M.K.: The Importance of Learning Style in End-User Training. MIS Quarterly 14(1), 101–119 (1990)
Ansley, J., Erber, J.T.: Computer Interaction: Effect on Attitudes and Performance in Older Adults. Educational Gerontology 14(2), 107–119 (1988)
McNeely, E.: Computer-Assisted Instruction and the Older-Adult Learner. Educational Gerontology 17(3), 229–237 (1991)
Seals, C.D., Clanton, K., Agarwal, R., Doswell, F., Thomas, C.M.: Lifelong Learning: Becoming Computer Savvy at a Later Age. Educational Gerontology 34(12), 1055–1069 (2008)
Young, K.S.: Reviewing and Critiquing Computer Learning and Usage Among Older Adults. Educational Gerontology 34(8), 709–735 (2008)
Hollis-Sawyer, L.A., Sterns, H.L.: A Novel Goal-Oriented Approach for Training Older Adult Computer Novices: Beyond the Effects of Individual-Difference Factors. Educational Gerontology 25(7), 661–684 (1999)
About Skylarkers, http://skylarkers.net/about.htm
World Health Organization Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, June 19-22 (1946), http://www.who.int/about/en
Knowles, M.: The Adult Learner a Neglected Species, 4th edn. Gulf Publishing Company, Houston (1990)
Pfeil, U., Arjan, R., Zaphiris, P.: Age Differences in Online Social Networking: a Study of User Profiles and the Social Capital Divide among Teenagers and Older Users in MySpace. Computers in Human Behavior 25, 643–654 (2009)
Strauss, A., Corbin, J.: Basics of Qualitative Research, 2nd edn. Sage Publications, California (1998)
Emerson, R.M., Fretz, R.I., Shaw, L.L.: Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes, Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing, 2nd edn. University of Chicago Press, Chicago (1995)
Pace, S.: Understanding the Flow Experiences of Web Users. PhD Thesis, The Australian National University (2003)
White, J., Weatherall, A.: A Grounded Theory Analysis of Older Adults and Information Technology. Educational Gerontology 26, 371–386 (2000)
Strauss, A., Corbin, J.: Basics of Qualitative Research, 2nd edn. Sage Publications, California (1998)
Mayhorn, C.B., Stronge, A.J., McLaughlin, A.C., Rogers, W.A.: Older Adults, Computer Training, and the Systems Approach: A Formula for Success. Educational Gerontology 30(3), 185–203 (2004)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 IFIP
About this paper
Cite this paper
Nycyk, M., Redsell, M. (2010). Making Computer Learning Easier for Older Adults: A Community Study of Tuition Practices. In: Reynolds, N., Turcsányi-Szabó, M. (eds) Key Competencies in the Knowledge Society. KCKS 2010. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol 324. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15378-5_28
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15378-5_28
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-15377-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-15378-5
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)