Using Technology to Teach Older Adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Older adults may struggle to maintain social connections as their lifestyles change, e.g., retirement. Their social connectedness can be fostered by using technology; however, many factors hinder older adults' technology use, creating a generational digital divide. This paper presents a study to learn about best practices for teaching and engaging older adults using technology. This study was done in the Summer and Fall of 2021 (during the COVID-19 pandemic) and consisted of an online survey, course observations, and focus groups with instructors. We found that a) older adults were often intrinsically motivated to take online courses; b) not having access to appropriate technology tools or infrastructure, and not having the knowledge or confidence needed to utilize technology created barriers that hinder older adults' participation in online courses; c) the instructors modified their courses to incorporate time to socialize, make classes more interactive, and refocus on the learning process rather than the outcomes; d) capitalizing on older adults' strengths and encouraging reciprocity was crucial for online learning; and e) there is a need to train instructors and students on the use of technology to teach and to learn online. This study's findings contribute to understanding how older adults learn with technology. Through technology engagement that facilitates learning, older adults may improve their quality of life and become empowered as critical agents in Smart Cities.