Exploring the Potential of Online Tutorial Websites for Developing Technological Skills among Senior Citizens

Abstract

Most social media platforms nowadays are designed for intuitive younger users and senior citizens might face difficulties in developing their social media skills.  There are several factors that may inhibit senior citizens from learning how to use social media such as lack of suitable platform and mobility limitation. Learning process may occur differently among senior citizens compared to the younger learners due to the digital divide. Senior citizens encounter cognitive and physical declinations throughout the aging process which may affect their learning activities. Hence, the learning platform for senior citizens should be designed in a way that could help them to maximise their learning; an online tutorial website could be one of the alternative platforms. This study is conducted to explore the potential of the existing free online tutorial websites in developing social media skills among senior citizens. Instructional strategies for teaching senior citizens via online tutorial websites are also developed based on previous studies. Three existing online tutorial websites are analysed based on the proposed instructional strategies to gain more understanding regarding online tool in the context of technology learning among senior citizens. Supported by the three cases-in-point, criteria that are crucial in ensuring senior citizens have positive learning experiences via websites are drawn.