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Digital study guide for older people (ViLE e.V.)

Virtual and Real Learning and Competence Network for Older Adults was founded in December 2002 by senior citizens and staff of further education institutions from all over Germany.

The network offers introductory courses in the technical basics of virtual learning, virtual literature circles, its own online newspaper for adults interested in further education (www.lerncafe.de), project and seminar work, workshops and travel offers in the sense of research-based travel. The members work together virtually and in real life, also in regional groups.

The association’s latest project is the production of an information brochure on educational opportunities for older people at universities: The “Digital Study Guide for All”.

Source: https://vile-netzwerk.de

Access date: 01.06.2022

Digitally mobile in old age – the podcast for seniors

The Corona crisis in particular has shown how important and helpful digital offers can be. This podcast from the Digital Opportunities Foundation and O2 wants to encourage older people to explore the digital world. Daniel Finger talks to experts, those affected and enthusiasts and gives many suggestions and tips.

The podcast currently has seven episodes:

  • Up to this point and even beyond
  • Seniors on the net – personal experiences
  • Fears, loneliness, concerns
  • Recognising false information from the net
  • Seniors and Corona
  • Seniors and the Internet: A strong team

Digitally mobile in old age – what to expect

Source: https://www.podcast.de/podcast/946545/archiv

Access date: 01.06.2022

Seniors Web

In 2017, the Seniorenweb (Seniors’ Web) association was founded in Vienna. The goal is to make the potential of digitalisation accessible to older people as well. Particularly in crisis or emergency situations (e.g. illness, need for care, immobility, etc.), digital mobility helps to:

  • maintain social contacts
  • take care of daily errands
  • maintain independence
  • create a daily structure
  • stay healthy

However, statistics show that in Austria, even in 2020, almost 550,000 people between the ages of 55 and 75 have never used the internet. As a society, it must therefore also be our obligation not to leave older people behind on the path of digitalisation, but to motivate and support them along the way.

Therefore, the association has made it its mission to promote the following:

  • digital education and counselling,
  • digital networking and
  • digital volunteering

The main pillars are:

  • Events (online and offline trainings, lectures, conversations)
  • Seniors’ portal

*Digital knowledge portal (training materials around smartphones, tablets and computer use from Austria, Germany and Switzerland).

Source: https://www.seniorenweb.org/

Access date: 13.05.2022

Fit4internet

The fit4internet initiative launched training courses for basic digital skills for the 60+ generation. A tailor-made offer to discover the possibilities of the mobile internet, to actively use it and to communicate with it in a modern way.

Smartphone, internet, online shops, official channels – mobility is no longer just a question of physical fitness. In order to be able to participate in social life in the digital age, seniors need digital competence – be it to stay in contact with acquaintances, family and friends, or to carry out everyday tasks in a self-determined way.

The initiative fit4internet kicked off with the taster course “Kaffee Digital” (Coffee Digital) for senior citizens. Professional trainers imparted the necessary basics in a cosy and casual atmosphere so that seniors without (much) experience in the digital world can safely take their first steps on the internet, with mobile phones & co – uncomplicated and free of charge.

In addition to “Kaffee Digital”, the explanatory videos on smartphone use on the website deserve special mention: https://www.fit4internet.at/view/digitale-lebenswelten

Source: https://www.fit4internet.at/page/home

Access date: 13.05.2022

Cyber Guide

The Cyberfibel is aimed at all people who are professionally or voluntarily active in consumer counselling or education and who contribute in associations, foundations, educational institutions or federations to support other people in dealing safely with the digital world. The Cyberfibel is the basis for imparting knowledge – and thus also for one’s own knowledge acquisition in the sense of an accompanying reference book.

The Cyberfibel comprises two sections: In the first part, the “digital worlds” show everyday applications of digital technologies in private and professional life. Among other things, it is about reflecting on behaviour on the internet and developing strategies based on this, how internet offers can be used safely and sensibly on an individual basis. In the second part, the “digital competences”, the primer addresses risks in the online world and gives practical recommendations on how to protect yourself and your devices from possible threats from the net. Both areas can be looked at consecutively or independently of each other, as they do not build on each other.

The exercises of the guide convey the basic knowledge in a practical way and expand it. They enable you to acquire strategies and behavioural patterns for the safe and confident use of the Internet on the one hand, and to pass them on to others on the other.

All exercises should be accompanied by a competent person, e.g. the trainer. When doing the exercises at home, a competent family member, acquaintance or friend should be present. In particular, it is important to ensure that no contracts are concluded and no payment obligations are entered into.

Source: https://www.cyberfibel.de

Access date: 13.05.2022

Foundation for Digital Opportunities

Since its founding year in 2002, the Stiftung Digitale Chancen (Foundation for Digital Opportunities) has been committed to researching the social consequences of digitalisation, to advocating for equal opportunity access to the internet for all people and to strengthening their media literacy. Its goal is to promote the digital integration of all social groups and to counteract the threat of a digital divide. The Digital Opportunities Foundation is under the patronage of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection and the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

The internet offers opportunities for more information, more participation and social engagement. The foundation wants to create the conditions for all people to participate in the digital society and actively shape it. The foundation’s guiding theme is digital inclusion – to this end, it works in particular in the following thematic areas

  • Promotion of media competence
  • Online security
  • Usability / accessibility

To make it easier for other institutions to create digital training offers for seniors, the foundation has created a guide. With the guide “Digital Competences for Older People”, the Digital Opportunities Foundation wants to contribute to older people acquiring the necessary competences in dealing with digital applications and to strengthen their self-confidence. https://www.digitale-chancen.de/assets/includes/sendtext.cfm?aus=
11&key=1553

The Foundation is registered in the European Transparency Register at: http://ec.europa.eu/
transparencyregister/public/consultation/displaylobbyist.do?id=948042627375-19

Source: https://www.digitale-chancen.de/

Access date: 13.05.2022

Thirsty for knowledge

The internet portal Wissensdurstig.de (thirsty for knowledge) is part of the service point “Digitisation and Education for Older People”. The service point exists since 2017 and is a nationwide point of contact for questions on the promotion of learning and education in old age and specifically on education in the context of digitalisation.

Thirsty for knowledge:

  • supports older people in finding educational offers and events in their area,
  • qualifies multipliers in educational work in the design of suitable learning opportunities,
  • advises those responsible in local authorities, the federal states and the federal government on setting up sustainable structures.

The work of the Service Agency is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

At wissensdurstig.de, there is information on educational opportunities for older people throughout Germany, tips and materials on digitisation and education in old age, interesting facts for education providers, good practice examples and current information on digitisation, education, projects, campaigns and more. Education providers can register on wissensdurstig.de and enter their education offers online themselves or use an automatic interface to their own event database. The providers should be organised on a non-profit basis and the offers should be inexpensive.

Initial ideas for a continuing education course for older people are offered by wissensdurstig.de via the brochures “Neugierig bleiben” (Stay curious) and the “Wegweiser durch die digitale Welt” (Guide to the digital world).

Informational youtube video on the work of wissensdurstig.de: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6q3O0C7Ios&t=3s

Source: https://www.wissensdurstig.de/

Access date: 13.05.2022

Digital senior citizens

DigitaleSenior:innen (digital seniors citizens) is the service point for digital education for seniors in Austria. Their goal is to ensure that all people have access to the opportunities of digitalisation. In doing so, the educational institution offers support through advice from experts in the fields of adult education, media pedagogy, information technology and organisational development.

The offer of digitaleSenior:innen is aimed at educational institutions as well as trainers. They provide support in planning and implementing educational programmes for older people. As contact persons for senior-friendly teaching and learning, they help with the development and visualisation of projects.

The Service Point provides free advice on the development, planning and implementation of offers in the context of digital senior citizens’ education. Examples of advice could look like the following:

  • How can I reach my target group even better?
  • How can I ensure the low-threshold nature of my offers?
  • What didactic and methodological variety can improve my offers?
  • What simple steps can be taken to improve or ensure quality?
  • What training and further education opportunities are there for trainers?
  • How can I implement my offers in an online setting?

In addition, a wide variety of training materials are available for download on the website in the form of brochures, information sheets, presentations, explanatory videos & quizzes and step-by-step instructions. https://www.digitaleseniorinnen.at/leistungen/schulungsmaterialien/

Source: https://www.digitaleseniorinnen.at/

Access date: 13.05.2022

Golden Internet Award – Digitally Active in Later Life

The 60-plus generations, and especially those over 70, still use the internet very little compared to the younger population. Yet the older generations in particular can benefit from it. Therefore, since 2012, the “Golden Internet Award” has been honouring people, initiatives and, since 2017, municipalities that support older people in safely entering and using the online world. Last time there were almost 100 submissions nationwide.

Facilities can apply for the award in the following categories:

  • Category 1: Digital participation – supporting people in times of Corona
  • Category 2: Internet for all – the diversity of target groups!
  • Category 3: Community participation – the diversity of digital ways!

Special Award: Respectful – active for fair treatment on the net!

Source: https://www.goldener-internetpreis.de

Access date: 13.05.2022

Digital Compass

The Digital Compass provides free services for senior citizens on the internet and other topics. At 100 locations throughout Germany, internet guides support older people in trying out digital offers themselves. The Digital Compass is a meeting place for personal exchange, for on-site and online training and for obtaining materials.

Each quarter, a new topic is highlighted and presented both on the website and in newsletters.

Materials are provided on ten selected topics. Currently, more than 250 articles are available – for example, “digital encryption options”, “online money transfer”, “mobility” or “digital participation”. In addition, there are further information materials, exercise sheets and training courses.

Source: https://www.digital-kompass.de

Access date: 12.05.2022