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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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Computer classes for older people
— motivations and outcomes | | Author(s) | Sebastian Zaidman, Anthea Tinker |
| Journal title | Working with Older People, vol 20, no 2, 2016 |
| Publisher | Emerald, 2016 |
| Pages | pp 121-130 |
| Source | www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/wwop.htm |
| Keywords | Information technology ; Computers ; Adult Education ; Qualitative Studies ; London. |
| Annotation | A "digital divide" exists between older and younger people in terms of computer use; and older people's uptake of computer training programmes in the UK remains low. This paper identifies the motivations and outcomes of computer classes for some older people and the contributory factors. One-to-one qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants at a computer class in a London community centre. Using a topic guide, interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis. The theoretical perspective of "ageing in place" (the ability to stay in one's own home in later life) was used when interpreting the findings. Participants had been motivated to attend the class, initially to gain computer skills. Initial motivation was influenced by the death of a spouse and the desire to remain mentally active. The main outcome for the class was acquisition of computer skills. Psychological and social benefits were also reported, the latter constituting motivation for continued attendance. Computer ownership and gender differences in preferred teaching style influenced class outcomes. Although this was a small sample comprising older people solely from one community, participants' backgrounds varied. The findings suggest that further research with a larger, more culturally heterogeneous sample would be valuable. Computer classes benefit older people wishing to learn computer skills which may facilitate "ageing in place". (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-160603206 A |
| Classmark | UVB: 3O: GP: 3DP: 82L |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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