Diana Castilla|Cristina Botella|Ignacio Miralles|Juana Bretón-López|Andrea Maria Dragomir-Davis|Irene Zaragozá|Azucena García?Palacios
Teaching digital literacy skills to the elderly using a social network with linear navigation: A case study in a rural area
University of Houston
information communication technologies icts considerably increased information communication channels favoring emergence new models social relations social networks however elderly users whose learning traditionally based linear models information textbooks unfamiliarity internet barrier moreover elderly people living rural communities face lack telecommunication infrastructures increases difficulties accessing icts aim study test social network consisting multiple applications linear navigation digital literacy method elderly rural areas sample 46 participants 6076 years old heterogeneous previous experience icts participated study performed eight standardized sessions elderly leisure center results showed differences perceived usefulness users high low ict experience eight training sessions majority participants able independently use system applications positive results obtained variables measured ie learnability sense control system ability use system orientation efficiency accessible design perceived ease perceived usefulness intention use participants previous experience ict methods preferred linear navigation method thought easier icts results showed interaction differences touch screens used qualitative results showed one frequent emotions beginning ict sessions fear related breaking computer making fools continued use system improved users perceptions capacity handle icts interest icts general main contribution work consists exploring usefulness linear navigation social network systems context digital literacy elderly users rural areas