Abstract
How can older residents in assisted living and inpatient care facilities participate in digital education and social activities? This is the aim of the German interdisciplinary research project “Digital Educational Processes for Older Residents in Assisted Living Arrangements and Care Facilities” (DiBiWohn). Central to the project is a peer mentoring concept, in which older volunteers are trained as technology volunteers who assist in the learning process of digital technology novices from the aforementioned institutions. The paper first describes the project and the peer-to-peer concept. Then, findings from a nationwide online survey conducted in the spring of 2021 with n = 171 active technology volunteers (M = 70.4 years, 60–89 years) are presented, including everyday use of digital media, digital competencies, and attitude towards technology. The findings are related to a comparison group with n = 160 persons (M = 70.4 years, 60–90 years) who are equally educated, but do not volunteer in the field of technology. Inferential statistical analyses are applied to identify relevant determinants of Internet self-efficacy in both groups. The findings emphasize that information and communication technologies, such as the Internet and smartphones, are already used on a daily basis in both groups. However, the level of digital competencies and self-efficacy is significantly higher among the active technology volunteers. They thus represent “digital best agers” who have the prerequisites to be learning companions and role models for older people who are inexperienced in digital technologies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Project “Digitale Bildungsprozesse für ältere Menschen in seniorenspezifischen Wohnformen der institutionalisierten Altenhilfe” [Digital Educational Processes for Older Residents in Assisted Living Arrangements and Care Facilities] (DiBiWohn) Homepage. https://dibiwohn.org/en/. Accessed 27 Dec 2022
Bandura A.: Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. W.H. Freeman, New York (1997). https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.35-1826
Parkin, S., McKeganey, N.: The rise and rise of peer education approaches, drugs: education. Prevent. Policy 7(3), 293–310 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1080/09687630050109961
Hoffman, S.B.: Peer counselor training with the elderly. Gerontologist 23(4), 358–360 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/23.4.358
Zhou, J., Salvendy, G. (eds.): ITAP 2015. LNCS, vol. 9193. Springer, Cham (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20892-3
Doh, M., Jokisch, M. R., Rupprecht, F. S.: Förderliche und hinderliche Faktoren im Um-gang mit neuen Informations- und Kommunikations-Technologien im Alter – Befunde aus der Initiative der „Senioren-Technik-Botschafter” [Factors facilitating or hindering the use of new information and communication technologies in old age - Findings from the “Older Technology Ambassadors” initiative]. In: Kuttner, C., Schwender, C. (eds.) Mediale Lernkulturen im höheren Erwachsenenalter, vol. 12, pp. 223–242. Schriftenreihe Gesellschaft – Altern – Medien, kopaed, Munich (2018)
Stiel, J., Brandt, M., Bubolz-Lutz, E.: Technikbotschafter*in für Ältere werden – Lernformate im freiwilligen Engagement „Technikbegleitung” [Becoming a technology ambassador for older people - Learning formats in “technology accompaniment” volunteering]. In: Kuttner, C., Schwender, C. (eds.) Mediale Lernkulturen im höheren Erwachsenenalter, vol. 12, pp. 201–222. Schriften-reihe Gesellschaft – Altern – Medien, kopaed, Munich (2018)
Doh, M., Jokisch, M.R., Jäkh, S.D., Scheling, L., Wahl, H.-W.: Das Projekt KommmiT – Kommunikation mit intelligenter Technik. Ergebnisbericht der wissenschaftlichen Begleitung [The KommmiT Project – Communication with intelligent technology. Report of the accompanying research]. LfK (2021). https://www.lfk.de/medienkompetenz/seniorinnen-und-senioren/kommmit
Jokisch, M.R., Doh, M., Brehm, M., Tatsch, I.: Schulung älterer Menschen zum Technikbegleiter – Ein Praxisbericht aus dem Digitalen Projekt KommmiT [Training older people to become technology volunteers - A practice report from the digital project KommmiT]. In Schramek, R., Steinfort-Diedenhofen, J., Kricheldorff, C. (eds.) Diversität der Altersbildung. Geragogische Handlungsfelder, Konzepte und Settings, pp. 201–212. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart (2022)
Doh, M.: Auswertung von empirischen Studien zur Nutzung von Internet, digitalen Medien und Informations- und Kommunikations-Technologien bei älteren Menschen [Evaluation of empirical studies on the use of the Internet, digital media, and information and communication technologies among older people]. In Hagen, C., Endter, C., Berner, F. (eds.) Expertisen zum Achten Altersbericht der Bundesregierung. Deutsches Zentrum für Altersfragen, Berlin (2020).https://www.achter-altersbericht.de/fileadmin/altersbericht/pdf/Expertisen/Expertise-Doh.pdf
Schramek, R., Stiel, J.: Förderung von Technik- und Medienkompetenz älterer Menschen aus der Perspektive der Geragogik [Promoting technology and media knowledge in older people from the perspective of geragogy]. In Hagen, C., Endter, C., Berner, F. (eds.) Expertisen zum Achten Altersbericht der Bundesregierung. Deutsches Zentrum für Altersfragen, Berlin (2020). https://www.achter-altersbericht.de/fileadmin/altersbericht/pdf/Expertisen/Expertise-Schramek-und-Stiel.pdf
Netzwerk für Senior-Internet-Initiativen Baden-Württemberg [Network for initiatives regarding older people and the Internet in Baden-Württemberg]. https://netzwerk-sii-bw.de/. Accessed 20 Dec 2022
Project “Digital-Botschafterinnen und -Botschafter für Rheinland-Pfalz” [Digital ambassadors for Rhineland-Palatinate]. https://digital-botschafter.silver-tipps.de/. Accessed 20 Dec 2022
Bubolz-Lutz, E., Gösken, E., Kricheldorff, C., Schramek, R.: Geragogik: Bildung und Lernen im Prozess des Alterns. Das Lehrbuch [Geragogy: Education and learning in the process of aging. The textbook]. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart (2010)
Jokisch, M.R., Schmidt, L.I., Doh, M., Marquard, M., Wahl, H.-W.: The role of internet self-efficacy, innovativeness and technology avoidance in breadth of internet use: Comparing older technology experts and non-experts. Comput. Human Behav. 111, 106408 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106408
Sackmann, R., Winkler, O.: Technology generations revisited: the internet generation. Gerontechnology 11(4), 493–503 (2013). https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2013.11.4.002.00
Ivan, L., Loos, E.F., Bird, I.: The impact of technology generations on older adults’ media use: Review of previous empirical research and a seven country comparison. Gerontechnology 19(4) (2020)
Loos, E., Ivan, L.: Not only people are getting old, new media are too: technology generations and the changes in new media use. New Media Soc. (2022)
Jokisch, M. R.: Altern in einer digitalisierten Gesellschaft: Studien zur Selbstwirksamkeit, Technikakzeptanz und dem Obsoleszenzerleben bei älteren Erwachsenen [Aging in a digitized society: Studies on self-efficacy, technology acceptance and perceived obsolescence among older adults] (dissertation, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg), Heidelberg (2021). https://doi.org/10.11588/heidok.00032076
Bakardjieva, M.: Internet Society The Internet in Everyday Life. Sage Publications, London (2005)
Rogers, E.M.: Diffusion of Innovations. Free Press, New York, New York (2003)
Loos, E., Peine, A., Fernández-Ardèvol, M.: Older people as early adopters and their unexpected & innovative use of new technologies: deviating from technology companies’ scripts. In: Gao, Q., Zhou, J. (eds.), HUMAN ASPECTS OF IT FOR THE AGED POPULATION, HCII 2021, LNCS vol. 12786, pp. 156–167. Springer, Cham (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78108-8_12
Breunig, C., Engel, B.: Massenkommunikation 2015: Funktionen und images der medien im vergleich [mass communication 2015: comparing functions and images of the media]. Media Perspektiven 7(8), 323–341 (2015)
Mollenkopf, H., Kaspar, R.: Technisierte Umwelten als Handlungs- und Erlebensräume älterer Menschen [Technisized environments as spaces for action and experience of older people]. In: Backes, G.M., Clemens, W., Künemund, H. (eds.) Lebensformen und Lebensführung im Alter. Alter(n) und Gesellschaft, vol 10. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-663-10615-9_10
Brandtstädter, J., Wentura, D.: Veränderungen der Zeit- und Zukunftsperspektive im Übergang zum höheren Erwachsenenalter: Entwicklungspsychologische und differentielle Aspekte [Changes in time and future perspective at the transition to old age: Developmental psychological and differential aspects]. Zeitschrift für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie 26(1), 2–21 (1994)
Eastin, M.S., LaRose, R.: Internet self-efficacy and the psychology of the digital divide. J. Comput.-Med. Commun. 6(1), JCMC611 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2000.tb00110.x
Rubin, D.C., Berntsen, D.: People over forty feel 20% younger than their age: subjective age across the lifespan. Psychon. Bull. Rev. 13(5), 776–780 (2006). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03193996
Kaspar, R., Gabrian, M., Brothers, A., Wahl, H.W., Diehl, M.: Measuring awareness of age-related change: development of a 10-item short form for use in large-scale surveys. Gerontologist 59(3), e130–e140 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnx213
Czaja, S.J., et al.: Factors predicting the use of technology: findings from the center for research and education on aging and technology enhancement (CREATE). Psychol. Aging 21(2), 333–352 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.21.2.333
Jokisch, M.R., Scheling, L., Doh, M., Wahl, H.W.: Contrasting internet adoption in early and advanced old age: does internet self-efficacy matter? J. Gerontol.: Ser. B 77(2), 312–320 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbab096
Cohen, J.: Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edn. L. Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale (1988)
Jokisch, M., Schmidt, L., Doh, M.: Acceptance of digital health services among older adults: findings on perceived usefulness, self-efficacy, privacy concerns, ICT knowledge, and support seeking. Front. Public Health 10, 1073756 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1073756
Medienpädagogischer Forschungsverbund Südwest (mpfs): SIM-Studie 2021 – Senior:innen, Information, Medien. Basisuntersuchung zum Medienumgang von Personen ab 60 Jahren in Deutschland [SIM Study 2021 – Older people, information, media. Baseline study on media use of people aged 60 and over in Germany] (2022). https://www.lfk.de/fileadmin/PDFs/Publikationen/Studien/SIM-Studie/sim-studie-2021.pdf
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Doh, M., Schlichting, J.L., Leopold, D., Göbl, L., Jokisch, M.R. (2023). Digital Media Use and the Role of Internet Self-efficacy Among Older Technology Volunteers – A Baseline Study from the Project “DiBiWohn”. In: Gao, Q., Zhou, J. (eds) Human Aspects of IT for the Aged Population. HCII 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14043. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34917-1_32
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34917-1_32
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-34916-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-34917-1
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)