Technological literacy for seniors. Experience in the UNED Senior, Argentina

Abstract

In this paper, we report an experience with adults willing to learn and/or improve their ICT skills. The purpose was to reduce ICT exclusion, promoting awareness and confidence to continue learning. Theories on learning styles, role of emotions and implications in social behavior supported our project. We chose the paradigm for change to adjust the process and its impact. We tried to demystify the popular beliefs on impassable barriers related to ICT management and improve self-esteem and independence on technology use. The results exceeded our expectations and were the consequence of respecting learning styles, encouraging hands-on experiences, exchanging ideas, imitating procedures and allowing adults themselves to make mistakes. We concluded that age was not a factor that influences on either keeping distant or deciding to migrate into digitization, nor is a barrier in this displacement. Our project was not expensive and, furthermore, it is transferable. It is necessary to increase this kind of projects, and to encourage young people to participate for mutual enrichment.