Attitudes of the Elderly toward Information and Communications Technologies
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| Title: | Attitudes of the Elderly toward Information and Communications Technologies |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Gonzalez, Antonio, Ramirez, M. Paz, Viadel, Vicente |
| Source: | Educational Gerontology. 2012 38(9):585-594. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 10 |
| Publication Date: | 2012 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Adult Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Training, Computer Attitudes, Internet, Adult Education, Adult Students, Questionnaires, Student Surveys, Usability, Student Attitudes, Lifelong Learning, Teaching Methods, Older Adults, Student Motivation, Positive Attitudes, Self Concept, Gerontology, Aging (Individuals), Data Analysis |
| Geographic Terms: | Spain |
| DOI: | 10.1080/03601277.2011.595314 |
| ISSN: | 0360-1277 |
| Abstract: | Learning and using new technologies by the older people is seen as a demand for their integration in society and as a factor related to active aging. The goal of this article is to understand the attitudes of the elderly towards information and communication technologies in the context of a training course about the utilization of a digital platform. It is the result of an empirical study with a sample of 240 older people registered in the course Tele-Services for the Elderly, that took place in the Centers for the Elderly in the province of Cuenca, Spain. Through a self-administered questionnaire, aspects related to social activity, knowledge and use of the computer and Internet, expectations on learning and use of computer technology, personal competence, and self-concept were evaluated. The results obtained showed relationships between implication in the activities, experience with computers, and belief in the usefulness of learning new technologies. The participants' involvement in the activities was related to greater contact with information and communication technologies (ICT), which, in turn, generated more positive attitudes toward its learning and utility as well as more self-confidence. The elderly said that they enrolled in different activities to learn and to keep their minds active, and they thought of training as a means of social participation and lifelong learning. (Contains 2 tables and 3 figures.) |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Number of References: | 27 |
| Entry Date: | 2013 |
| Accession Number: | EJ992053 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Learning and using new technologies by the older people is seen as a demand for their integration in society and as a factor related to active aging. The goal of this article is to understand the attitudes of the elderly towards information and communication technologies in the context of a training course about the utilization of a digital platform. It is the result of an empirical study with a sample of 240 older people registered in the course Tele-Services for the Elderly, that took place in the Centers for the Elderly in the province of Cuenca, Spain. Through a self-administered questionnaire, aspects related to social activity, knowledge and use of the computer and Internet, expectations on learning and use of computer technology, personal competence, and self-concept were evaluated. The results obtained showed relationships between implication in the activities, experience with computers, and belief in the usefulness of learning new technologies. The participants' involvement in the activities was related to greater contact with information and communication technologies (ICT), which, in turn, generated more positive attitudes toward its learning and utility as well as more self-confidence. The elderly said that they enrolled in different activities to learn and to keep their minds active, and they thought of training as a means of social participation and lifelong learning. (Contains 2 tables and 3 figures.) |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0360-1277 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/03601277.2011.595314 |
