Análise das competências em informação dos idosos no uso das tecnologias digitais

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the information literacy of the elderly in use of digital technologies. Therefore, it adopts as specific objectives: a) identify the informational needs of the elderly; b) verify how the elderly use diverse technological resources and informational sources in the digital space; and, c) examine the cognitive, situational and affective aspects related, respectively, to knowledge, to know-how and to know-agency of information literacy. Part of the assumption that the information literacy surpasses approaches preoccupied only with the problem-solving skills in formal activities, constituting a critical factor for the accomplishment of other activities, which emphasize different natures of information. As for the methodological procedures, the research is based on the qualitative approach and on the exploratory and descriptive method. For data collection, it favors face-to-face interaction by conducting interviews with elderly using digital technologies. The technique used for data interpretation was content analysis. Through the mapping of information literacy, it is highlighted that the elderly interviewed, for the most part, show interest in continuing to learn about digital technologies and their tools. The results of the research indicate that, despite the difficulties encountered, respondents are curious about technological advances and encourage the desire to learn more about the available tools. Although the elderly sometimes present some fear and resistance to the new, it is worth noting that in many other moments there is a sense of motivation and interest in learning, always with a view to achieving independence in tasks associated with technology. In this way, it concludes that the use of digital technologies can provide greater autonomy for the elderly, contributing positively to their quality of life, and cooperate with other researches on the development of information literacy in digital contexts.