How Education Level and Willingness to Learn Affect Older Adults in their use of Mobile Technology in Southwest Idaho

As a person’s age increases, their use of technology decreases (Casado- Muñoz, 2015), which can hinder their access to resources, such as medical care, online products and services, and basic communication. For 90% of American adults, the use of mobile technology is a part of daily life (Pew Research Center, 2014). Previous research shows that if seniors have higher education levels and willingness to learn, they are more likely to use technology (Bailey & Sheehan, 2009). This project will use the cultural evolution theory and social learning to examine how education levels affect a senior’s use of technology, and how their willingness to learn affects their adoption of mobile technology. I will conduct interviews and surveys with 50 individuals, aged 65 years or older; 25 individuals enrolled currently in educational courses and 25 individuals who are not. This research gives a deeper understanding of the factors that influence technology use in seniors, and how to encourage such usage.