This research is a study to investigate factors, both negative and positive, which influenced 57 senior respondents aged 65years old and over in their uptake of IT skills from three senior citizen environments. It is also an investigation on the development and testing of a specially designed Internet Application in the same environment. The 57 senior citizens were surveyed to ascertain their attitudes towards computer technology. The analysis of the data suggests that the majority of seniors experienced negative attitudes and anxieties towards computer technology, and would find the browsing application useful. The study also includes a qualitative research of such aspects as the participant’s attitudes and anxieties when it comes to using technology.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Preface
1.2 Rationale for the Study
1.3 Aims & Objectives
1.4 Limitations
1.5 Layout of the study
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Chapter Preview
2.2 Evolution of the Internet
2.3 Education and technology
2.3.1 Influences in education
2.4 Learning theories in educational technologies
2.4.1 Cognitive Theories
2.4.2 Computer Applications suitable for seniors
2.4.3 Constructivism
2.4.4 Constructivism in teaching seniors
2.4.5 Summary
2.5 Computer anxiety
2.5.1 What is computer Anxiety
2.6 Senior adult’s needs
2.7 Successful computer-literacy
2.8 E-learning and senior citizens
2.9 Mental stimulation for senior citizens
2.10 Conclusion
CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.1.2 Aims and Objectives of the study
3.1.3 Data Collection
3.1.4 Validity and Reliability
3.1.5 Triangulation
3.1.6 Participants in the study
3.2 Development of Questionnaire Design
3.2.1 Introduction
3.2.2 Data collection instruments
3.2.3 Developing the Questionnaire
3.2.4 Computer Experience
3.2.5 Computer Anxiety Scale
3.2.6 Computer Usage Questionnaire (CUQ)
3.2.7 Procedure for Data Collection
3.3 Research Methods
3.3.1 Research undertaken to guide the design of the study.
3.3.2 Secondary data used in this research study
3.3.3 Primary Data
3.3.4 Mixed Methods Research
3.3.5 Qualitative Research
3.3.6 Rationale for using focus group interviews
3.3.7 Semi Structured Interviews
3.3.8 Ethical Considerations
3.3.9 Summary
3.4 Designing and creating an Internet application browser
3.4.1 Introduction
3.4.2 Target Users
3.4.3 Software tools investigated
3.5 Outline of the baseline requirements
3.5.1 Senior Citizen Users
3.6 Design Guidelines
3.6.1 Functionality
3.6.2 Consistent
3.6.3 Accessibility
3.6.4 Terminology
3.6.5 Customised
3.6.6 Basics Concepts
3.7 Creating a simplified Web Browser
3.7.1 Working Prototypes
3.7.2. Evaluation of ‘Ezybrowser’
3.7.3 Evaluation participants
3.7.4 Participants evaluating the browsers
3.8 Limitations
3.9 Summary
CHAPTER 4 FINDINGS
4.1 Introduction
4.1.2 Participants age
4.2 Results of the Questionnaire
4.2.1 Results of the Computer Experience Instrument
4.2.2 Results of the computer Anxiety Scale
4.3 Data Analysed
4.4 Summary
4.5 Introduction to In-depth interviews
4.5.1 In Dept Interviews results
4.6 Results of Evaluations of the Internet Browser
CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
5.1 Summary
5.2 Success of the Application
5.3 Recommendations
REFERENCES
Appendix A:
Appendix B: “EzyBrowser”
Appendix C: Evaluation Scale
Appendix D: Questionnaire
Appendix E: In depth Interviews.
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This study aims to investigate the factors that influence senior citizens, specifically those aged 65 and over, in their adoption and effective use of IT skills. The research addresses a central core question regarding the barriers to technology uptake and explores how custom-designed software interfaces can mitigate computer anxiety and enhance usability for this demographic.
- Analysis of factors affecting senior citizens' attitudes and anxieties toward computer technology.
- Evaluation of existing computer literacy training programs and common failure points for senior learners.
- Development and prototyping of a simplified "Ezybrowser" Internet application tailored for senior users.
- Usability assessment comparing standard web browsers with the senior-focused browser prototype.
Excerpt from the Book
3.6.6 Basics Concepts
The first observation in the study group is that quite a lot of the senior users in the study have very little to no prior computer knowledge. The application and its functions had to be explained to the group as well as its purpose. All kinds of descriptions and conventions are sometimes taken for granted by designers in user interface designs. “Websites tend to be produced by young designers, who often assume that all users have perfect vision and motor control, and know everything about the Web” (Nielsen, 2002). The main criterion for the study was that the senior adults in the study knew very little about using an Internet Browser. As part of the study into investigating the factors that influence senior citizens in their uptake of IT skills, is the question: Does the application that senior adults use for browsing the Internet play a role in helping or hindering their effective use? The previously mentioned design principles in conjunction with the senior participants were used to design the simple standard browser “Ezybrowser” which should provide a good introduction to Internet browsing for senior adult users
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION: Outlines the demographic shift and the growing reliance on technology, establishing the research goal of understanding factors that affect senior citizens' computer literacy.
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW: Reviews the evolution of the Internet, learning theories for seniors, and the role of computer anxiety in hindering the adoption of IT skills.
CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY: Describes the mixed-methods approach used to gather data and the technical design process for the "Ezybrowser" application.
CHAPTER 4 FINDINGS: Presents the results of questionnaires and usability evaluations, demonstrating that customized interfaces can improve senior user performance and confidence.
CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: Concludes that while seniors are motivated to learn technology for communication purposes, simplified, supportive training and interfaces are essential for their success.
Keywords
Senior citizens, IT skills, computer anxiety, Ezybrowser, user interface, usability, digital literacy, educational technology, learning theories, constructivism, software design, accessibility, retirement centers, age-related impairments, self-efficacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research investigates the factors, both positive and negative, that influence senior citizens aged 65 and over in their uptake and effective use of IT and computer skills.
Which key themes are explored in the study?
Key themes include senior citizens' attitudes toward technology, the impact of computer anxiety, the effectiveness of existing literacy courses, and the importance of user-friendly interface design.
What is the overarching research question?
The core question is: "What are the factors that influence senior citizens in their uptake of computer/IT skills?"
What methodology does the author employ?
The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from questionnaires with qualitative insights from in-depth interviews and focus groups to gain a comprehensive understanding.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers literature reviews on learning theories, the development of specific design guidelines for senior users, the implementation of a custom "Ezybrowser" application, and the analysis of findings from the participant surveys.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The primary keywords are senior citizens, computer anxiety, usability, interface design, IT literacy, and digital inclusion.
Why was the "Ezybrowser" application developed?
It was developed to address the specific usability challenges seniors faced with standard browsers, such as cluttered screens, obscure terminology, and overly complex functionality.
What were the major findings regarding senior learners?
The study found that many seniors experience significant computer anxiety often linked to a fear of making uncorrectable mistakes, but they are highly motivated by the desire to communicate with family.
- Quote paper
- Loreto Weir (Author), 2010, An investigation into factors that influence senior citizens in their uptake of IT Skills, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/194221
