Studies identify guidelines for digital literacy training in old age
Together with partner universities from Germany and Finland, experts from Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences explored what motivates older adults to acquire digital skills. The results of the studies are now published in a practical guide for adult educators and other target groups.
The rapid development of new technologies and their importance in many areas of daily life also challenges older adults to acquire digital skills. Within the framework of two studies with the collaboration of scientists from the Competence Center for Gerontology and Health Research at the Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, it was now investigated how and for what reasons people 65+ participate in offers for the acquisition of digital competencies. For this purpose, a multiple-case design with qualitative and quantitative methods was developed to include the views of older adults from Austria, Finland and Germany.
The results of the interdisciplinary studies show both individual, social and technical reasons for taking part in training courses, describes gerontology researcher and research associate Dr Vera Gallistl from the Competence Center for Gerontology and Health Research: "Digital education is becoming increasingly important in the post-professional phase of life and is regarded as central to quality of life and social participation in old age. The topic is also gaining relevance because the proportion of older people who use the Internet is increasing. We have therefore addressed the questions of what the digital competencies of older people in Austria look like, how they are located against the background of social inequalities, and how older people have acquired their competencies, i.e. what motivations lie behind these learning processes in old age." The results of the publication will now be summarized in a separate guide and will serve as a recommendation for experts in adult education, among others.
Social participation as the greatest motivationBut how are digital competencies built up in old age? For this question, the study distinguished three learning factors of digital competence, namely social learning, non-formal learning and independent learning, explains the aging researcher. "While social learning is the most common of the three forms of learning, at the same time it appears that independent learning in particular is associated with extensive digital practice: individuals who learn independently are significantly more likely to report being extensively involved in digital practices than those who learn exclusively socially. For competence development in old age, self-directed learning with digital devices is thus shown to be particularly favorable."
Above all, the data highlights the increasing importance of digital devices for social participation in old age. "On the one hand, people are confronted with them everywhere, whether they are studying again in old age or are involved in volunteer management. On the other hand, we also got confirmation during the interviews that the desire for lifelong learning also applies here and that interest in new technologies is high." One of the key empirical findings is that a total of 75 percent of older Austrians use at least one form of digital technology. This publication thus shows the impressive variety of digital forms of practice in which older people are involved.
At the same time, the data continue to highlight existing social inequalities in access to and use of digital technologies in old age. For example, a quarter of respondents say they do not use digital technologies. "In summary, we can say that the study shows the great importance of social networks for digital learning processes in old age. 81 percent of respondents have asked relatives or acquaintances to teach them digital skills. Socially informal learning is thus the main form of digital learning and is especially prevalent among those who are less extensively involved in digital practices, such as the very old or older women. The immediate social network is thus often the first point of contact for building digital skills in old age."
Digital education in old age as a social factorAccording to the experts' recommendation, digital education in old age should therefore be less should be less about supporting the use of digital devices and more about promoting digital sovereignty, which can also include conscious non-use. "It is less about blanket target group descriptions, but increasingly about specific problemsabout digital in old age, such as too high costs for a device, lack of outreach services close to home, and the like," says Vera Gallistl. The degree of engagement with digital technologies also depends on the extent to which to which respondents perceived the Internet as a means of social participation. Accordingly, there is a need for greater socio-political debate on the subject to further increase interest in digital technologies even more in the future and to offer opportunities.
Publications
Older adults’ reasons to participate in digital skills learning: An interdisciplinary, multiple case study from Austria, Finland, and Germany. / Pihlainen, Kaisa; Ehlers, Anja; Rohner, Rebekka et al. In: Studies in the Education of Adults, 20.10.2022.
