digital inclusion of elderly

Be it because they lack the knowledge or because they lack motivation or opportunity, older people are traditionally excluded from Information & Communication Technologies (ICT). So a partnership was created to encourage senior citizens motivation and knowledge about ICT, thus helping to overcome the exclusion of elder people in the field. The project made use of non formal education and innovative methods, to address older people’s learning needs.

A partnership was made up of two Local Authorities (Spain and Portugal), a French organization working in the field of education and training (GIP) and a Greek organization working in the field of the new technologies (IDEC) was created to encourage senior citizens motivation and knowledge about ICT, thus helping to overcome the exclusion of elder people in the field. The Senior TICs project lasted 18 months and reached directly 110 people over 50 from elderly centres in Spain and Portugal and developed an innovative training methodology specifically oriented to older people and ICT.

The three main objectives of Senior TIC were:

  • to encourage the acquisition of basic ICT skills by older people;
  • to think at European level, about new methodologies and their potential to improve the way old people learn and spend their free time;
  • to encourage inter-generational dialogue and recover Historical Memory.

In order to achieve those objectives, the project made use of non formal education and innovative methods, to address older people’s learning needs on ICT. The trainers involved in the project received specific training to perform the training sessions. Furthermore the contents and the pedagogical tools of the training courses were designed by the partners within the project to make sure they would fit the needs of the trainees. Special attention was given to encouraging intercommunication and exchange between elderly people and youngsters from primary and secondary schools and visits and contacts between the two age groups were organised.

Senior TICs developed a website with detailed information about the activities undertaken; a Trainers Handbook and a Learners Handbook, including examples of practices in the field and an innovative methodology to train older people in ICT; a compilation of pictures taken by the trainees as a way of applying what they have learnt and a multilingual DVD containing all the activities of the project.

The results of the project are:

  • Basic courses on new technologies,
  • Creation of a Historical Memory Website,
  • Creation of a website, designed as an open space for participation, information and exchange. The website has blogs, videos on Historical memory and web album Inter-generational exchange of information through inter-generational dialogue through Formative meetings in schools between old and young people and Young people visits,

 

Runtime: 2007 - 2009
Program Scheme: Lifelong Learning Program of the European Union
Sub-Program: Leonardo da Vinci
Promoter: Concejalía de mujer y bienestar social del Ayuntamiento de Lugo, Spain
Website: Senior TIC