(1177) FACILITATING LEARNING OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) FOR SENIOR CITIZEN

摘要

As with the rest of the world, many senior citizens in Singapore are learning Information Communications Technology (ICT). The senior citizens learn ICT to increase their knowledge, to keep themselves up to date, stay active, or simply because they enjoy learning [1]. Research have found learning ICT can improve the quality of life for senior citizens [2]. However, senior citizens are often faced with different challenges while learning ICT, as compared to the young or adults. Many of the ICT trainers may have the expertise in their technology fields and the experience in teaching adult learners but these attributes may not work well when applied to teaching senior learners. When trainers are not able to recognize the challenges faced by senior citizens, they may facilitate the class in an unfavorable style for senior citizens' ICT learning. Such styles of teaching may leave a negative experience for senior citizens, as they feel anxious and stress. In some cases, this may result in possible mental blocks and refusal to engage with ICT in the future. This paper studies the challenges faced by senior citizens when learning ICT, and suggests ways to help senior citizens learn with greater ease, thereby achieving greater results. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through seniors who had gone through our ICT classes.