The motivation of the project in question is to:

• bridge the digital divide by making computers and Internet available to senior citizens in rural areas;

• improve the quality of life for the elderly through increased knowledge
  and familiarity with the possible uses of ICT.

 

The objectives of the project are:

• lInvolve the media competence of senior citizens (50+) through "Senior-Internet-Helpers" (SIH) in different fields of ICT, initiate the sensible use of ICT possibilities and develop pedagogical and methodical approaches to increase seniors' capacities for active citizenship and the participation of the elderly in social processes;
• qualify seniors as "Senior Internet Helpers" who work voluntarily passingtheir knowledge on to other senior citizens who are not yet familiar with the use of the Internet;
• Create a network for the exchange of good practices and senior teachers as well as materials for training new Internet helpers and qualifying existing Internet helpers in new technological and pedagogical applications of the web (e.g. Web 2.0);F
• Foster the ability and willingness to implement ICT use in the rural areas for people of all ages;
• To foster old peoples' autonomy.

The level of implementation of the project is the following

Regional: Implemented in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg (plus co operations with other provinces) in locations such as community centers, volunteer centers, residential homes, generation houses, schools and churches.

 

Types of methods applied to achieve objectives

• Activities for developing igital literacy (content knowledge, technical and pedagogical approaches, strategies for different offers depending on seniors' needs);
• Activities to update ICT knowledge;
• Activities to foster participation in eLearning courses cast in terms of seniors' interests ("autobiographical writing", "intercultural training", Europe, civil society, globalisation, ecological sustainability);
• Activities to train seniors as senior Internet helpers;
• PR and sponsor activities.

Scale of the initiative

Between 2004 and 2007, 456 senior Internet helpers were trained to work in 54 different rural locations across Baden-Württemberg. On average, each helper has 10 hours of voluntary work per month resulting in a total of 55 000 hours and approximately 275 000. contacts in one year.

Involved stakeholders or contributors

The project was carried out by ZAWiW (Centre for General Scientific Continuing Education) of Ulm University in cooperation with partner institutions.

Types of ICT involved

Computers with Internet access

Participation fee

Participation is presumably free.

Measures applied for motivating target groups for participation

The initiative actively tries to create awareness of its existence through collaborations with the largest regional radio show, many reports in local daily newspapers and  presentations at garden shows and other regional exhibitions.

Approaches to document results

The initiative has produced several reports in various journals, a handbook with didactical and methodical advice and another book and CD with good practice approaches.