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. 2022;68(3):389-407.
doi: 10.1007/s11159-022-09957-7. Epub 2022 Jul 15.

The use of technology for online learning among older adults in Hong Kong

Ben Y F Fong  1 , Hilary H L Yee  2 , Tommy K C Ng  1 , Vincent T S Law  1
Affiliations

The use of technology for online learning among older adults in Hong Kong

Ben Y F Fong et al. Int Rev Educ. 2022.

Abstract
in English, French

The use of technology to facilitate better living and learning is gaining popularity worldwide. More and more older adults are technology users and participating in online learning. While there is ample research examining the factors affecting older adults' behavioural intention to use technology more generally, less is known about their views of using technology in online learning environments. Applying the model for the adoption of technology by older adults (MATOA) developed by Kenneth Hsiche Wang et al., the authors of the study presented here investigated the attitudes of older adults towards technology adoption for online learning. They interviewed 20 adults aged 52-73 who had enrolled in a diploma course in a higher educational institution in Hong Kong. The results show that participants held favourable attitudes towards online learning after several practice sessions. While they had confidence in their future use of technology, they stated that the availability of technical and social support affected their intention of continuous learning using technology in online settings.

Utilisation de la technologie par les seniors à Hongkong pour apprendre en ligne – Utiliser la technologie pour faciliter l’amélioration de la qualité de vie et l’apprentissage, une activité qui jouit d’un engouement croissant dans le monde entier. De plus en plus de seniors se servent de la technologie pour se livrer à des activités d’apprentissage en ligne. Tandis que de nombreuses recherches portent sur les facteurs qui influent sur l’intention comportementale des seniors à utiliser la technologie d’une manière plus générale, nous savons peu de choses sur leurs points de vue à ce sujet dans les environnements d’apprentissage en ligne. S’appuyant sur le modèle pour l’adoption de la technologie par les seniors (model for the adoption of technology by older adults/MATOA) élaboré par Kenneth Hsiche Wang et coll., les auteurs de la présente étude se sont penchés sur les attitudes des seniors concernant l’adoption de la technologie pour apprendre en ligne. Ils ont interviewé 20 adultes âgés de 52 à 73 ans qui s’étaient inscrits à un cours diplômant dans un établissement d’enseignement supérieur à Hongkong. Les résultats indiquent que les participants se montraient favorables à l’apprentissage en ligne une fois qu’ils avaient participé à plusieurs séances d’entraînement. Tout en se sentant confiants quant à l’utilisation qu’ils feraient à l’avenir de la technologie, ils ont déclaré que la disponibilité d’un soutien technique et social influait sur leur intention d’apprendre en permanence en utilisant la technologie dans un environnement en ligne.

Keywords: lifelong learning; model for the adoption of technology by older adults (MATOA); older adults; online learning; technology.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Constructs of MATOA (based on Wang et al. 2017)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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