Computing made easy for the over 50s

This Friday, May 20^th is Silver Surfers Day. A press release from an organization called Digital Unite tells us that “Being online can improve the lives of the over 55s” and make them feel “with it”. A cringeworthy phrase, but let’s move on.

For those without it – i.e. the ability and knowledge to access the internet, plenty of help is at hand. As a first port of call, two new books from Which? would make a perfect gift or investment for anyone (over 55 or not) grappling with technology. Computing made easy for the over 50s is the perfect guide for helping people to gain confidence using a pc. It starts from a base of no prior computing knowledge and through illustrated, step-by-step tutorials, jargon busters and plenty of helpful tips leads the reader through sending emails, finding information on the internet, using Microsoft Word and Excel, staying safe online and much, much more.

The book is one of a series which includes Internet made easy for the over 50s, and another new title – Laptops and mobile devices made easy. Both are available from bookshops or can be ordered from www.which.co.uk/books (on the assumption you’re already online) or by phone: 01903 828557.

For any older people seeking a more hands-on approach as a starting point, this week (16-20 May) is also Digital Unite’s national Spring Online campaign. Around 2,000 free digital taster events are taking place across the UK in schools, colleges, libraries, UK online centres, cafes, community centres, communal lounges, offices and even pubs, helping thousands of older people to learn about using computers and the internet. To find an event online, visit www.ukonlinecentres.com and enter your town or postcode in the ‘Find a Centre’ search box. More details about the campaign are available at www.springonline.org or call free on 0800 77 1234.

Box clever – internet usage and the over 50s

Recent reports reveal that an extra million people over 50 went online for the first time in the past year, increasing the number of internet users from 36.9million to 38.8million. People over 50 accounted for 53% of the increase with men in this age bracket accounting for 38 per cent of growth (722,000).

A spokesperson from Nielsen, who conducted the research, maintained that this increase was because people were now more confident about security aspects of using the internet, and more sites now target the over 50s. Certainly the first point is likely to be accurate, but questions must be raised about the second when older internet users almost certainly spend the majority of their time online accessing the same sites as everyone else (banks, retailers, travel, entertainment). Plenty of evidence exists (including regular updates from mature marketing specialist Dick Stroud (http://20plus30.blogspot.com/) to show that the over 50s in general are not highly attracted to “older” websites. The “Saga” generation is less the over 50s and more the over 70s.

Our belief is that what has probably happened is that older men – who have been less likely to use computers and keyboards through work than older women – are now (no doubt influenced by the women in their lives!) realising the advantages and catching up. This reflects the classic marketing growth curve of new product development which proposes a pattern of early adopters, to mass market, late adopters and then the laggards. The truly elderly now represent the laggards with Age UK estimating that 70 per cent of those over the age of 65 have still to use the internet. 

The reasons for this appear to represent a mix of lack of ability, opportunity, confidence and support. Overcoming these will not be easy, particularly in these economic times when this may not be seen as a financial priority by public service providers. One potentially highly useful way forward was brought to my attention earlier this week at an academic conference on research methods.

Marcel Das from Tilburg University in the Netherlands was reporting on his use of the CentERpanel, an Internet-based research panel representative of the Dutch population aged 16 and over, administered by CentERdata at Tilburg University. He said, “Because not everyone owns a personal computer or has access to Internet, CentERdata provides a set-top box for people who do not have a computer, enabling them to complete the questionnaires online.” Apparently the set top box is the equivalent of a very simple computer enabling people to have internet access and to send emails. It is installed and supported by personnel from the CentERdata team who spend a considerable amount of time teaching people – particularly the more senior respondents – how to use the equipment.

This seems an excellent way forward as a means of increasing internet usage amongst a proportion of those – particularly the elderly – who currently are not web-enabled. The project is financed by a large European grant and the benefit to the overall community – through access to a large amount of panel data – is huge.

Time for the UK to think outside the box also?

http://arno.uvt.nl/show.cgi?fid=63036

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1290755/One-internet-users-50.html

 

Pardon me boy – is this the day for silver surfers?

Silver Surfers’ Day – This Friday, May 21^st

While going through my inbox a couple of days ago I came across a piece entitled “Chichester Design helps over-50s get online with Silver Surfers’ Day”.  This, of course, reminded me that this very worthwhile event is upon us again and this time has enlisted the help of such icons as Sir Terry Wogan and Dame Vera Lynn.

At in my prime we are very much a computer based organisation, know the potential and the benefits of being computer and internet literate, and very much support this initiative. So we are certainly going to give it a plug.

But before we do, just our usual little rant. We are in the business of convincing the world (or whoever wants to listen) that those over 50 are very much part of the mainstream; in the workplace, in the midst of the family, and in society at large. So I took a little tour of the Silver Surfers’ Day website and entered the door marked “Music Maestro”. I must admit I like free music as much as anybody. But imagine my horror at what I found.

I was brought up on Glenn Miller music (unless I could escape to my room). My parents played it all the time. They danced to it during the war, long before I was born. Anyone who was about twenty at that time is now in their mid to late eighties! Hardly music to appeal the vast majority of the over 5Os then. I rest my case.

However, back to the Day itself.

Check out these links and see where they take you.

http://www.chichesterdesign.co.uk/blog/chichester-design-helps-over-50s-get-online-with-silver-surfers%E2%80%99-day/

http://www.silversurfersday.org.uk/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8679999.stm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00sbdjn/Jeremy_Vine_14_05_2010/

Meaningful mentoring

The value of older people as mentors and their understanding of the power of on-line social networking have both been amply demonstrated in the Yell and horsesmouth Mentoring Works Awards. The three awards for business mentoring, which were drawn from user nominations on the online mentoring website horsesmouth.co.uk, were all won by individuals over the age of 50.

The winner of the £1000 Mentor of The Year Award is 64-year old Keith Williams from Ackworth in Yorkshire, a SFEDI (Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative) accredited professional, who advises small businesses and social enterprises. Having created and developed many successful businesses in the last 20 years, Keith feels he has made plenty of mistakes and learned from them and believes that today he can pass on this learning to young entrepreneurs on the way up. 

Winner of The £500 Editor’s Prize, for the most inspiring story published on horsesmouth.co.uk, is 51-year old Jayne Bellis from Chester. The £500 M-Factor Award – for the most active business mentor with the highest rating on the site, goes to 52-year old Michael Birchmore from Portsmouth.

horsesmouth.co.uk is the world’s first ‘pro-social’ networking site and was purpose-built in 2008 for online mentoring on a wide range of topics including education, careers, health, families and relationships. It is free and available to anyone over the age of 16, with the majority of the site’s users being under 25. The site is professionally hosted, managed and moderated and all profiles, stories and weblinks are approved before posting.

Much is talked about in the workplace concerning the potential role of older workers as mentors. This is proof, if any was needed, that the wisdom of age and experience is welcomed by the young if presented in a relevant, individualised and meaningful way. Employers would do well to consider what they might learn from this model.

itea and Biscuits week and ‘Internet Champion Search’!

Age Concern and Help the Aged are looking for an Internet Champion to represent the charity and provide a leading light for the estimated 6.4 million people 65+ who have never used the internet, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

Many older people never have the chance to use the Internet, despite new research from Age Concern and Help the Aged finding that older people see the benefit of the internet with three in four people believing it to be a useful tool to stay in contact with friends and family (ICM survey 11-18 September 2009). The research also found that 61% of older people believe the internet to be a useful way of making savings on products and services.

The Internet Champion – who will be a regular older person who has embraced the internet – will show older people that using the internet is a realistic possibility for them and that they too can reap the benefits of being online.

The winner of the Internet Champion search will receive a laptop computer, a complete BT package including BT Total Broadband, as well as an all-expenses paid trip to London. For more information visit www.ageconcern.org.uk/it.

itea and biscuits week, supported by BT, offers older people nationwide the opportunity to get involved in technology ’taster sessions’ at local Age Concerns and other supporting organisations from September 21 to 25.

What is a regular older person?

The Internet Champion search aims to find an ordinary person (aged 55+) who has recently learned to use the internet and whose personal story can inspire others. The search will begin on 21 September 2009 and end on 13 November 2009 with the winner being selected by a panel of judges from Age Concern and Help the Aged. To apply, candidates will need to fill in the Internet Champion application form which can be downloaded from www.ageconcern.org.uk/it.

 

He who knows not…..

As may be seen from our own approach here at in my prime we firmly believe that internet access and online activity is not only the future but is already the present. Accordingly, we very much welcome the Government’s Digital Britain Report and initiatives such as NESTA’s “Reboot Britain”.

It is, therefore, rather disconcerting to see in research carried out for Ofcom that not only is there a significant minority who do not have the internet but that many of them, particularly older people, have “self-excluded” themselves and do not see the need nor the value in getting to grips with the new technology.

We are now in a transition phase and many elderly people did not work in or were not brought up in a computerised environment. Their attitude is at least understandable. The learning curve for them is particularly steep – although that should not, in itself, be an excuse. I have experience of trying to help someone make the transition and there is much that can be done by the computer industry to make the experience easier for the elderly – core programs only, spam-free, virus-free, pop-up free, update restricted etc. etc.

But for those over 50s who have not yet reached this stage in their lives there is no excuse. Whether it be employability, keeping in the social mainstream, access to information, finances, improved purchasing power or a host of other uses and benefits, being connected is of paramount importance. Otherwise a truly second class citizenship will emerge and is already doing so.

Every encouragement, incentive and opportunity must be provided to bring people aboard. This is not another example of a nanny state telling us what is good for us and restricting the freedom of the individual – people must not be allowed to shy away.

He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool; avoid him.

He who knows not and knows that he knows not is a student; teach him.

He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep; wake him.

He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man; follow him.

Ancient Proverb

More silver surfers need to obtain and use the Internet

Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire have found that a digital divide still exists and that more silver surfers (over 50s) need to obtain and use the internet in their daily lives.
In the wake of a Government announcement last month that plans to tackle the digital divide among young families by providing parents on low income with equipment and internet access, Dr Jyoti Choudrie and Dr Susan Grey from the University’s Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities Research Institute have revealed research findings about the older generation.

Click here for more >>

(Source: AlphaGalileo)

Internet use ‘good for the brain’

For middle-aged and older people at least, using the internet helps boost brain power, research suggests.

A University of California Los Angeles team found searching the web stimulated centres in the brain that controlled decision-making and complex reasoning.

The researchers say this might even help to counteract the age-related physiological changes that cause the brain to slow down.

Click here for more >>

(Source: BBC)