This Master's thesis deals with the digital inclusion of older adults and examines the experiences of participants in a digital literacy course at the Adult Education Centre Ptuj. The main purpose of the research is to determine which factors influence older adults decision to participate in the course, how individual aspects of the digital divide influence their decisions, what impact the acquired digital skills have on the everyday use of information and communication technology (ICT), how social support influences motivation to use ICT, and what challenges older adults face in the practical application of the knowledge acquired after completing the course.
The thesis is divided into a theoretical and an empirical part. The theoretical part presents a review of the literature on population aging, the characteristics of older adults, and the education of the target group, with a focus on digital literacy. It then discusses ICT and older adults, focusing on the digital divide, the challenges of acquiring digital skills, and the impact of education on the everyday use of ICT. Attention is then turned to social support for older adults. The last chapter is entitled ICT education for older adults, with a special emphasis on the Adult Education Centre Ptuj. The empirical part is based on qualitative research conducted using semi-structured interviews. A case study method is used, which allows for an in-depth analysis of former participants in the Digital Literacy Course for Older Adults. The results of the research showed that older adults decide to participate in the course mainly because of their desire for greater independence, the need to keep up with technological developments, and various practical reasons. The course contributed to bridging the digital divide, developing digital skills, and increasing confidence in their own abilities. They incorporated the knowledge they acquired into their everyday use of ICT, which strengthened their independence and sense of inclusion. Social support also played an important role. Despite the progress made, older people still face challenges in the practical use of ICT.
|