Introducing older learners to information technology through life history writing

Some familiarity and competence with computers would improve older people's access to a range of technological developments that could make their lives safer, more convenient, intellectually more stimulating and more entertaining. Additionally, it might increase their self‐esteem and their acceptance as capable members of society. However, older people have mostly been prevented from acquiring computing skills because of the unavailability, until relatively recently, of suitable machines and because of the self‐perpetuating view that computers and the elderly are incompatible. This paper reports the experience of introducing a group of older people, whose mean age was approximately 70 and some of whom were physically frail, to computers, through the positively motivating and potentially therapeutic medium of personal life‐history writing. Compared to younger users, our participants expressed similar views about the ease‐of‐use of the computers, but less confidence in using them unaided and less certainty in re‐starting computer use after a few days’ absence. Much infectious enthusiasm has been generated among participants and all changes in their general mental health and attitudes to advanced technology have been in a strongly positive direction. Further work is aimed towards establishing a communications network for use by older people, while their particular learning requirements are being incorporated in self‐instruction software.