Lessons Learned: Tips on Teaching Computer Communication to Lonely Older Adults

Background and Purpose:

Older adults overwhelmingly have more trouble with computer training than younger adults do. This difficulty typically takes the form of: taking longer to learn, making more mistakes after training is over, and needing more assistance while learning. It should be noted that learning to use the computer for the first time, is different from adding on to preexisting knowledge.

A pilot test was conducted to reduce loneliness in older adults by training participants to use six different methods of computer communication: email, instant messaging, social networking sites, microblogging, and video chat. The objective of this presentation is to describe challenges encountered in teaching these computer communication methods to older adults and to discuss the solutions to the challenges which were implemented.

Methods: This pilot test had a nonexperimental, pretest/posttest study design.  Participants consisted of 22 older adults who were prescreened for loneliness. Class size was limited due to available computers, so participants self-selected into one of four equivalent class periods. The course consisted of 6 two hour classes: Class 1: Intro to Computer-Mediated Communication, Class 2: Email and Instant Messaging, Class 3: MicroBlogging, Class 4: Social Networking Sites, Class 5: Video chat, Class 6: Online Safety.

The challenges discussed in this presentation sprung from both the observations of the course instructor as well as from participant comments.

Results: Some of the problems encountered included: having participants with mixed computer experience within the same class, finding ways for participants without computer access at home to complete the homework, time management (e.g. balancing hands-on practice with instruction), and tailoring classes to participant needs (e.g. hearing impairments, differing interests, differing levels of computer experience).

Conclusions and Implications: The pilot test provided a valuable learning experience in conducting training on computer communication methods with older adults. Problems encountered here and the solutions implemented may assist other researchers working in this area with this population.