Mary Harrsch (mharrsch@oregon.uoregon.edu)
Thu, 08 Apr 1999 11:21:17 -0700
Date: Thu, 08 Apr 1999 11:21:17 -0700 From: Mary Harrsch <mharrsch@oregon.uoregon.edu> Subject: Technology barriers to older adults
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The Office of Learning Technologies in Canada released a report about the
findings gleaned from their forum on Learning Technologies and Older Adults.
I found the report interesting because many of the barriers cited by the
older adult participants were similar to those we discussed in our exchanges
about gender equity. Particularly:
"one participant cited negative peer pressure as a barrier:
"Often I
am asked how much time I spend on the computer and isn't
there something else I could be doing. I almost feel guilty
having
a computer. The old work ethic is still alive and well in
rural areas
and resistant to anything new; except for a new combine or
tractor."
and
"some seniors experience feelings of guilt at pleasing
themselves
after a lifetime of productivity and pleasing others"
and "surfing the Web, joining chat rooms, and exploring the Web in
general are adventurous, daring activities; the education of
most
older adults did not train them to dare, voyage, venture and
gamble"
I was also concerned about a statement in the report that seemed to
contradict what I had recently read in an article about the capacity of
older adults to learn:
"the difficulty of learning new things or returning to a
course of
study after many years of absence from learning activities;
seniors are "out of practice" for learning; furthermore, the
capacity to learn decreases with age (note that the ability
to
learn merely decreases with disuse)"
I wish I could remember where I had read a recent study about brain function
in older adults but I do remember that it said, contrary to conventional
thought, with proper diet and "brain exercise", an older adult can continue
to learn as ably as adults in other age groups. Are there any physiologists
out there that could shed some light on this issue?
If any of you are interested the complete report is located at:
http://node.on.ca/forums/olderadults/report.html
Mary Harrsch
Network and Information Systems Manager
College of Education
102-K Education
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
(541) 346-3554
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~mharrsch/index.htm
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