Seniors Online: Online Literacy and Learning by Senior Citizens in Rural Centres.

Autor/inn/en	Millar, Pat; Falk, Ian
Institution	Adult Literacy and Numeracy Australian Research Consortium, Launceston. Tasmanian Centre.
Titel	Seniors Online: Online Literacy and Learning by Senior Citizens in Rural Centres.
Quelle	(2000), (31 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
ISBN	1-876768-22-3
Schlagwörter	Access to Computers; Adult Learning; Adult Literacy; Case Studies; Community Development; Computer Uses in Education; Delivery Systems; Educational Benefits; Educational Technology; Foreign Countries; Interaction; Internet; Lifelong Learning; Literacy Education; Literature Reviews; Numeracy; Older Adults; Online Courses; Questionnaires; Rural Areas; Rural Education; Social Networks; Social Support Groups; Special Needs Students; Student Attitudes; Australia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Adulte education; Adult training; Erwachsenenbildung; Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Community; Development; Entwicklung; Computernutzung; Auslieferung; Bildungsertrag; Unterrichtsmedien; Ausland; Interaktion; Life-long learning; Lebenslanges Lernen; Rechenkompetenz; Älterer Erwachsener; Online course; Online-Kurs; Fragebogen; Rural area; Ländlicher Raum; Ländliche Erwachsenenbildung; Social network; Soziales Netzwerk; Social support; Soziale Unterstützung; Sonderpädagogischer Förderbedarf; Schülerverhalten; Australien
Abstract	The learning needs of older adults living in rural Tasmania, Australia, and the potential of online technologies to foster local literacy and community well-being were examined. The study used a qualitative inquiry strategy that included visits to three sites to investigate the literacy and numeracy implications of senior citizens' use of online technology. The sites were located in southern, central, and northeastern Tasmania. Local literacy program officials and practitioners were interviewed, and a questionnaire was administered to the online centers' users. The study established that access to online technology gives older rural people opportunities to improve their communication skills, develop a new awareness of their potential as learners, and engage in self-development. The following barriers to older learners' access to computers were identified: transport and access costs; attitudinal factors that may be related to limited literacy practices in a community; limited literacy skills; and lack of confidence. The positive outcomes resulting from online interaction included extension of social practices, including literacy and numeracy practices. It was concluded that the networks formed through the use of online access centers and interaction with online technology were suggested to be a crucial element of social capital. (The bibliography lists 36 references. The survey instrument is appended.) (MN)
Anmerkungen	Language Australia, GPO Box 372F Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia ($5.50 Australian). Tel: 61 3 9926 4794; Fax: 61 3 9926 4780; e-mail: davet@la.ames.vic.edu.au; Web site: http://sunsite.anu.edu.au/language-australia.
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC