Research has shown that older people experience a ‘fear factor’ around computers and often express the opinion that computers are ‘not for them’. The perception is that computers are complex and ‘difficult to learn’.  Many older people miss out on the benefits of being able to use the internet and other basic digital equipment like ATMs and mobile phones.

As the ‘digital divide’ widens, barriers to accessing computer training and literacy can lead to social isolation and greater expense for older people. Having a basic knowledge of computer and internet skills can give access to many exclusively online products and lower prices. It can also mean increased contact with family and friends at home and abroad, leading to greater quality of life and happiness.  

There are many free initiatives to encourage older people to use computers and go online:

Log On Learn

Log On Learn is a collaborative programme between Intel, Microsoft and An Post.  It is a programme designed to ‘buddy up’ a participating transition-year student with an older person from their local community to share skills with each other.

Modules within the programme will enable the student to share common IT skills, including the use of the internet for common tasks. The one-to-one aspect of training will enable the students to tailor the training to suit each older person’s needs.

This eight-module programme will take the older person’s initial skill level, learning pace, interests and hobbies into account and aims to build confidence and have fun surfing the net, booking holidays and organising their finances from the comfort of their own homes.

Log on Learn was launched nationally on 1st October 2008 by Máire Hoctor, Minister for Older People.  To date over 3,000 older people have completed the course with great results. Since its official launch in October ‘08, over 150 schools have taken part and over 3,000 older people were trained in the use of computers. There are now over 200 schools signed up to run the program from Sept ’09 and more have expressed interest!

 With the involvement of almost 550 Transition Year schools nationally, this initiative can scale to train over 30,000 older people in computer skills per annum. For further information, please go to: www.logonlearn.ie or to get information on courses in your local area please contact 01 214 7417.

Webstart

Dublin City Council’s Webstart is a popular, free computer training programme. It offers training in basic computer skills, internet use and email to small groups of the public in branch libraries in Dublin. For further details, please enquire at your local library or go to www.dublincity.ie

Age Action Ireland’s Getting Started Programme

Age Action Ireland (www.ageaction.ie) has joined forces with Dublin City Council to encourage more seniors to join the silver surfers. The Getting Started initiative has trained more than 800 people through 80 community groups across Dublin. The programme is going nationwide and the goal for 2009 is to provide education to a further 3,000 people across Ireland.

Training is provided by volunteer tutors in small classes, with an emphasis on encouragement and support for older learners. Courses are free and are held in a range of venues, including libraries, schools and community centres. They normally run for two hours a week, over six to eight weeks.

If you would like more information on the Getting Started programme or would like to get involved, please contact one of Age Action Ireland's Regional Officers or call Pauline Power 01 475 6989 or email gettingstarted@ageaction.ie

Regional Officers:

Clare – Loretta O’Brien, Phone: 087 262 7698

Dublin – Susan Bardon, Phone: 087 695 1053

Dublin City Council Sheltered Housing Complexes –Rob Carroll, Phone: 087 923 1126

Dundalk – Anna Egan, Phone: 087 261 6481

Galway – Justine Delaney, Phone: 087 262 5517

Kerry – Kathleen McAuliffe, Phone: 087 261 8404

Kilkenny – Margaret Irish, Phone: 087 262 4374

Mayo – James Reddiough, Phone: 087 207 3262

National Development Manager, Helen McQuillan, Phone: 087 815 2421

For further information on computer training courses, you could also try www.nightcourses.com