Technology and lack of transport biggest obstacles for older learners

MODERN technology and a lack of suitable rural transport are the biggest obstacles to older people returning to education, research has found.

The study for national adult learning association AONTAS focused on the views and needs of learners aged over 50 and providers of courses aimed at them.

The biggest area of demand among older people is for information and communications technology education, ranging from how to use a mobile phone, through to basic computer skills and web design. Many feared being left behind by modern technology or discriminated against because of a lack of knowledge.

One person spoke about inequitable treatment of older drivers by insurance companies and said that people unfamiliar with the internet who cannot make an email query are charged a hefty administration fee if they contact companies by phone, where the service is free for customers using the companies’ websites.

Other learners stressed the importance of having access to local activities, or ones for which transport would be provided. This was particularly important, they said, for older people living in isolated locations or those with physical impairments brought on by disability or age.

“A free travel pass is useless if there is no local transport available,” said one participant.

The report finds that some older people do not have fond memories of education first time around and others are embarrassed about returning to education.

“Others are put off engaging in adult education activities by a sense of inadequacy and a fear of failure, which discourages some older people from engaging in inter-generational learning. Many left school more than 50 years earlier and would be intimidated to return to a similar environment with younger learners,” it said.

AONTAS has set up learner networks around the country to help older people share their positive education experiences.

The organisation’s report recommends abolishing the upper age limit of 64 for participation in the Government’s Back to Education Initiative, and increased investment in rural transport, training for service providers and capital funding for premises.

Course providers surveyed, such as Vocational Education Committees, family resource centres and local area partnerships, offered mostly IT, arts and crafts, or literacy and numeracy courses for older people. Most activities are free of charge, but the providers said shortages of resources and funding were the biggest challenges to their ability to provide learning opportunities.