ERIC Number: EJ1321025
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2227-7102
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Learning with and about Digital Technology in Later Life: A Socio-Material Perspective
Rohner, Rebekka; Hengl, Lisa; Gallistl, Vera; Kolland, Franz
Education Sciences, v11 Article 686 2021
Literature has widely explored the learning processes with information and communication technology (ICT) in later life, mostly focusing on the individual learner rather than materialities--such as smartphones, notepads, and handouts. The aim of this paper is to introduce a socio-material perspective by focusing on the question: What role do materialities play in digital learning processes in later life? This paper draws upon a situation analysis of data from a qualitative multi-perspective study. Researchers conducted participatory observations of five ICT courses for older adults in Austria and semi-structured interviews with seven trainers and nine older participants (61-81 years). By identifying three social worlds (digital devices, education, and participants' everyday lives), the findings show how ICT-learning processes are embedded in the everyday lives of older adults and include not only digital, but also everyday materialities, such as pens, paper and books. These material convoys of digital learning in later life are vital in facilitating successful technology appropriation in later life.
Descriptors: Electronic Learning, Information Technology, Technological Literacy, Adult Education, Older Adults, Aging (Individuals), Handheld Devices, Laptop Computers, Computer Use, Telecommunications, Educational Equipment, Educational Environment, Social Environment, Learning Processes, Foreign Countries
MDPI AG. Klybeckstrasse 64, 4057 Basel, Switzerland. e-mail: education@mdpi.com; e-mail: indexing@mdpi.com; Web site: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/education
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
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Language: N/A
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Austria
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A