PRIMER ICT: a new blended learning paradigm for teaching ICT skills to older people

As the 'third age' of human life becomes noticeably longer, the opportunity for elderly to obtain new skills reduces the tendency to consider this period of life as being disadvantaged. Hence, the fundamental aim of the project PRIMER-ICT was to educate older people in four participating countries (Slovenia, Ireland, UK and Austria) in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) skills/practice by using an inter-generational and multisectoral approach empowering elderly to use ICT on everyday basis to improve their quality of live and to re-engage them in the society. To achieve this aim, students, primarily from health and ICT related fields have been recruited to become 'trainers/teachers'. These students in turn have and will utilise acquired skills and knowledge to help train multipliers (community nurses, nurses in elderly homes, family members, volunteers from different sectors/ages, elderly), who in turn help training elderly.