Assistance in technology use for older adults: design and development of a social engagement-based training workshop in the public library

Abstract

The Nicolás Avellaneda Library (Mar del Plata, Argentina) and students from the Socio-Community Practices Seminar of the Faculty of Humanities at the National University of Mar del Plata have developed the 'Technology Use Support Workshops for Older Adults.' In this paper we describe the design and development of the workshop. The project is based on the Inter-American convention on the protection of the human rights of older persons, the Alexandria Proclamation on Information Literacy and Lifelong Learning, and the Sustainable Development Goals. The workshop was structured as a solidarity-based service-learning project using participatory and playful activities. It promotes participants’ exploration and appropriation of technological resources according to their interests, such as cultural, educational, and informational applications and websites that enhance their civic engagement and well-being. The results of the workshop were positive for older adults and future librarians thanks to the regular meetings at the library, intergenerational dialogues, and group discussions.