Learn why and how to help older people master IT
What you'll learn
- At the end of my course, students will be aware of the isolation that can come with ageing and the barriers to digital inclusion among older people
- At the end of my course, students will recognize the potential of digital capability to improved personal and social wellbeing
- At the end of my course, students will be able to encourage an older person to identify how digital technology can help them
- At the end of my course, students will be able to guide an older person to choose and set up digital technology to suit their needs
- At the end of my course, students will be able to help an older person to learn sufficient digital skill to meet at least one particular need
Requirements
- Students in this course will be expected to have basic computer literacy
Description
Have you ever been frustrated trying to teach a parent or grandparent to use a computer or even their phone? Do you find it hard to understand their reluctance to join the digital society? In our ageing societies the proportion of older people is increasing. Many of them missed out on the digital revolution and are becoming increasingly isolated from former friends, community and even family. However with the ability to connect through digital devices, older people can remain connected, independent and engaged with the activities that make life worthwhile. Older people can learn to use digital devices but they must be (1) motivated to do so because they can see some way it would improve their well-being; (2) have a device that suits them and they can afford; and (3) get someone to teach and support them in an appropriate way. In this course you will develop the skills to (1) motivate a particular older person to become interested in the digital world, (2); help them acquire the digital technology that suits them; and (3) learn to use that technology to maintain a good quality of life.
Who this course is for:
- Anyone wanting to assist older people to learn to use digital technology
Course content
- Preview03:42
- Preview03:42
Instructor
![Helen Hasan](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=avatar}
- 4.6 Instructor Rating
- 8 Reviews
- 14 Students
- 1 Course
I am a Professor of Information Systems (IS) in the Australian Health Services Research Institute at the University of Wollongong, I consult, research and publish extensively in IS and related areas of Knowledge Management and Human Computer Interaction while managing a Usability Laboratory at the university. Using frameworks based on Complex and Activity Theories, my research falls into two themes: the Grey and the Green. My Grey projects investigate the use of IT by the elderly for their social wellbeing. My ‘Green’ theme takes a holistic approach to IS support for sustainable development. I lead national and international special interest groups on Green IS. I have received the University Award for Research Student Supervisor of the Year (2012) and for Interdisciplinary Research Excellence (2015).
My latest venture is the creation of a startup social business, Living Connected, within the iAccelerate business incubator on the Innovation Campus of the University of Wollongong. Based on four years of research, Living Connected provides a service to assist older people to use computers to remain connected and engaged.