AUTHOR=Wilson-Menzfeld Gemma , Gates Jessica Raven , Moreland Mary , Raw Helen , Johnson Amy 

TITLE=Learning digital skills online: empowering older adults through one-to-one, online digital training provision

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1122277

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1122277

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=Digital exclusion, through lack of access and poor digital skills can have a significant adverse impact on daily living. The COVID-19 pandemic not only had a dramatic impact on the necessity of technology in our daily lives, but also on the availability of digital skills programmes. This study aimed to explore perceived facilitators and barriers of a digital skills programme that was delivered remotely, online and to reflect on this form of training as a possible alternative to traditional face-to-face models. Individual interviews were carried out with programme participants, and the programme instructor. and two themes were generated from this data: (a) Creating a unique learning environment; and (b) Encouraging further learning. Barriers to digital delivery were evident within this programme, however, the individual and personalised delivery empowered participants within their own learning, supporting individuals to learn skills relevant to them and to continue their digital learning journey.