Staying digitally connected - a review of current learning and support provision in seven cities for older people

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Ramondt, L, Sandhu, J and Damodaran, L, 2013. Staying digitally connected - a review of current learning and support provision in seven cities for older people. International Journal of Education and Ageing, 3 (2), pp. 95-114. ISSN 2044-5458

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Abstract

Many older people successfully use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve the quality of their lives and to extend independent living. However, their ability to sustain such usage in the face of many barriers depends to a considerable extent on effective learning and support. To establish the availability of such learning and support provision in the United Kingdom,
an investigation was conducted as part of the Sus-IT project in 2011 in a carefully selected sample of seven UK cities. This study identified UK Online Centres and Age UK as the two main providers of face-to-face ICT learning and support for older people. Some public libraries, community groups such as U3A and 50plus forums and some local Age UK agencies also provided tutor-led classes and/or one-to-
one support. While examples of good practice were identified, the study reveals a significant shortfall in the learning support provision available to sustain digital connection or engagement of older people. The paper concludes with a discussion of how these shortcomings may be addressed through coordinated policies, strategies and practices which extend from central government across
local government, the third sector and the business sector.

Item Type:	Journal article
Alternative Title:	Staying digitally connected – a study of learning and support provision for older people in seven cities in the United Kingdom and implications for policy and practice
Publication Title:	International Journal of Education and Ageing
Creators:	Ramondt, L., Sandhu, J. and Damodaran, L.
Publisher:	Association for Education and Ageing (AEA)
Date:	2013
Volume:	3
Number:	2
ISSN:	2044-5458
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	03 Nov 2015 12:30
Last Modified:	06 Dec 2023 09:21
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/26121