Teaching digital literacy skills to the elderly using a social network with linear navigation: A case study in a rural area

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have considerably increased the information and communication channels, favoring the emergence of new models for relations, such as social networks. However, for elderly users whose learning has traditionally been based on linear models of information such as textbooks, unfamiliarity with Internet can be a barrier. Moreover, elderly people living in rural communities face a lack of telecommunication infrastructures, which increases their difficulties in accessing ICTs. The aim of this study is to test a social network consisting of multiple applications with linear navigation as a digital literacy method for the elderly in rural areas. A sample of 46 participants between 60-76 years old with heterogeneous previous experience with ICTs participated in the study. They performed eight standardized sessions in an Elderly Leisure Center. Results showed differences in perceived usefulness between users with high and low ICT experience. After eight training sessions, the majority of the participants were able to independently use all the system applications, and positive results were obtained on the variables measured, i.e., learnability, sense of control over the system, ability to use the system, orientation, efficiency, accessible design, perceived ease, perceived usefulness, and intention to use. The participants with previous experience with other ICT methods preferred the linear navigation method because they thought it was easier than other ICTs. The results showed interaction differences when touch screens were used. Qualitative results showed that one of the most frequent emotions at the beginning of the ICT sessions was "fear" (related to breaking the computer or to making fools of themselves), but the continued use of the system improved the users' perceptions of their own capacity to handle ICTs and their interest in ICTs in general. The main contribution of this work consists of exploring the usefulness of linear navigation and social network systems in the context of digital literacy for elderly users in rural areas.

Feasibility-Usability Study of a Tablet App Adapted Specifically for Persons with Cognitive Impairment—SMART4MD (Support Monitoring and Reminder Technology for Mild Dementia)

“…A few PWDs who were not familiar with tablets or smartphones were very unsecure when approaching the tablet and app. Preliminary studies showed [39] that the use of touchscreen technologies was frequent also in PWD but that the use of specific apps or software to support memory was reduced in PWD and caregivers and they face age barriers for the use of these apps. However, the majority think that the use of smartphones or tablets is helpful for memory and this highlights the presence of a gap between the perceived potential and the actual use of these technologies.…”

Designing ICTs for Users with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Usability Study

“…Although technology is increasingly present in everyday life, the elderly usually face usability problems related to the unsuitable design of central features, such as the graphic user interface design and input device choices, to name some examples. On usability tests, elderly users face a greater number of usability problems than young users [ 29 , 30 , 31 ], and their ICT experience differs not only in terms of their success rate, but also in terms of emotional factors that should be included as an important part of their experience [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Often these negative experiences of older users are consolidated into what has been called a technophobia, that is a computer avoidance due to fear or phobia of interacting with computers [ 36 ].…”

“…In which order should I do the required steps?). As a consequence of the previous and the lack of ICT experience, elderly users show better performance on systems with linear navigation [ 32 , 46 , 47 ]. Another aspect that adds up to the complexity of usability in the elderly lies in the fact that the characteristics of elderly users are not static and vary over time because there are changes due to age-related decline [ 48 ].…”

Multicriteria Evaluation of the Use of Ict in Rural Areas in the European Union Countries in 2018

“…Among the interesting topics discussed in recently published papers on the use of ICT in rural areas in the EU there is the digital literacy of older rural community representatives using a social network with linear navigation (Castilla et al, 2018). Cavicchi et al presented a case of an international student competition which aim was to actively promote one of the Italian regions (Fermo, Marche region) via social media (Cavicchi et al, 2018).…”