Understanding and Changing Older Adults' Perceptions and Learning of Social Media.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Xie, Bo, ; Watkins, Ivan; Golbeck, Jen; Huang, Man
- Source
- Educational Gerontology; Apr2012, Vol. 38 Issue 4, p282-296, 15p, 1 Diagram
- Subject
- Continuing education
Attitude (Psychology)
Black people
Computers
Diffusion of innovations
Learning strategies
Mass media
Research methodology
Research
Social networks
Qualitative research
Computer training
Teaching methods
Concept mapping
Educational outcomes
Human comfort
Interviewing
Medical ethics
Privacy
Research funding
Time
Blogs
Thematic analysis
Maryland
- Language
- ISSN
- 03601277
An exploratory study was conducted to answer the following questions: What are older adults’ perceptions of social media? What educational strategies can facilitate their learning of social media? A thematic map was developed to illustrate changing perceptions from the initial unanimous, strong negative to the more positive but cautious, and to the eventual willingness to actually contribute content. Privacy was the primary concern and key perceptual barrier to adoption. Effective educational strategies were developed to overcome privacy concerns, including (a) introducing the concepts before introducing the functions; (b) responding to privacy concerns; and (c) making social media personally relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]