Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email

1. Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email An Instructional Design Project on Internet Communication for Older Adults Malia M. Mallchok University of Hawaii at Manoa mallchok@hawaii.edu

2. Background • 28% of Americans age 70+ go online (Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2006) • 89% of Americans age 18-28 go online (Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2006) • Seniors can be at risk for social isolation (Chaffin and Harlow, 2005) • As social isolation increases, quality of life decreases (Chaffin and Harlow, 2005) • Computer and Internet use can help reduce social isolation (Shapira, Barak and Gal, 2007) Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

3. The Target Audience • Ages 65+ • Novice computer users • May have cognitive decline • May have physical challenges • Hearing loss • Limited vision • Motor control difficulty Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

4. Project Focus • Design and evaluate the effectiveness of an instructional design module on online communication for older adults • Evaluate the effectiveness of techniques and tools for senior-friendly and senior-focused instruction Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

5. The Project • Online communication for older adults • Audio calls • Text messaging • Skype • Web-based module • Screen capture videos • Paper-based instruments Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

6. Design • Simple and clean design • Clear navigation • Little technical jargon • No distracting music or sound effects • Minimal animation and graphics • Images of target audience Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

7. Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

8. Accessibility • At least 14-point fonts • Autoplay for audio and video • Closed captioning • MAGpie software (NCAM) • Audio narration • Minimal interaction required Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

9. Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

10. Small Group Test • 14 participants • All were 65+, oldest 89 • 71% held advanced degrees • 78% felt comfortable using a computer • 2 had used text messaging before • 3 had made audio calls on the Internet • 83% felt that the Internet had services that were of value to them Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

11. Findings and Results • 100% found the instruction to be clear • 67% found the closed captioning useful • 93% had no difficulty hearing the information • 14% felt that text was too small • 71% felt comfortable with the technology • 77% were enthusiastic about using the technology Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

12. Findings and Results Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

13. Conclusions • Tools and techniques for accessibility were successful • Module was effective • Participants responded positively • “Fun!” • “Great and well-organized session” • “Excellent course” • “Just the right pace” Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

14. Future Study • Formative evaluation for seniors • Question format • Interview vs. Questionnaire • Paper-based instruments • Test with different audience • High number of advanced degrees • Valued Internet services Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa

15. Thank you! Questions?mallchok@hawaii.edu Onramp to the Internet for Seniors: Beyond Email Malia M. Mallchok, University of Hawaii at Manoa