Comparison of Education and Income Levels of the Elderly in Relation to Self-directed Learning Through Technology to Foster Development in the 21st Century Aging Society
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Abstract
The purposes of the mixed-method study are twofold: 1) Investigate the factors and examine the levels of self-learning through technology among the elderly and 2) Explore the impact of educational background and income on self-directed learning through technology. A self-directed learning guideline was also developed to specifically address older adults' needs. The data were collected from 405 elders living in selected areas across Bangkok. The study employed purposive sampling, selecting five districts for data collection to represent the population effectively. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to triangulate the quantitative data. The results of a factor analysis showed that the factors for self-directed learning through technology among the elderly consisted of six factors: 1) Management skills, 2) Open-mindedness, 3) Self-development, 4) Self-reliance, 5) Discipline, and 6) Self-confidence. In addition, the average level of self-directed learning through technology among the elderly is high. The factor with the highest level is open-mindedness, followed by self-development and self-reliance, respectively. The results from One-way ANOVA analysis suggest that older adults with varying education levels demonstrate differences in management skills, open-mindedness, self-reliance, and self-confidence when engaging in self-directed learning through technology. Additionally, income levels significantly influence the use of technology for learning, with higher income providing better access to resources. The suggested guideline also recommends that organizations promote the importance of technology-based learning, encouraging older adults to recognize the benefits of self-directed learning to support the development of an aging society in the 21st century. These will foster sustainable learning, promote self-sufficiency among the elderly, and enhance the aging society.
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