Activities
During the lifespan of the SIDE project three transnational management meetings took place, one in Romania and two in Cyprus. Each meeting reunited five representatives of each of the partnering companies.
All meetings functioned as check-points for the progress of the project. The first TPM served the purpose of bringing together experts from the two organizations to get to know each other and to discuss the management and implementation plan of the project related to digital literacy for seniors. During the meeting, the participants presented their organizations, shared their experiences, and discussed statistical data related to seniors' needs for digital tools. They also made agreements for project activities and objectives and discussed communication methodologies. Additionally, the group visited a senior club in Cyprus to learn about their digital literacy program and extract important information for the project.
The second TPM focused on measures to be taken in case there were issues in the implementation of the project, on the organizational, administrative, evaluation, monitoring and financial dimensions. Another subject discussed during TPM1 referred to the brochure produced by the consortium. Discussions were oriented towards the evaluation of the brochure, including feedback from members of the two organizations, as well as external specialists interested in the field.
TPM2 helped to reach the project objectives by improving the knowledge and information of members of the two organizations about digital methods used for seniors, as well as knowing the vision of external specialists, strengthening methods of organizing masterclasses, and providing external specialists with the opportunity to learn about the project and contribute to the sustainability of the project.
As a result of the meeting, there was an assessment of the project implementation up to that point, feedback from members of the two organizations about the digital seniors brochure, feedback from external specialists about the brochure, and a plan for organizing masterclasses.
TPM3 focused on the final evaluation of the project. Discussions were held on the implementation of the masterclasses and the feedback questionnaires received from the seniors who participated in them. During the meeting we analyzed the questionnaires that measured the difference in the level of information of seniors before and after participating in the project's activities. During the meeting we also evaluated the knowledge and experience gained by the members of the participating organizations, and assessed their satisfaction with the project, the implementation processes and the collaboration overall.
Digital Kompas presented their experience of participating in an Erasmus plus programme for the first time, highlighting the knowledge they gained from the project. The organization also gained new methods in the field of digital education through the exchange of information and discussions with the OPEI.
The three TPM meetings translated in an important personal and professional development for the attendees who improved their ability to synthesize presentations, evaluate and provide feedback, and acquired new skills as a result of the exchange of experiences between the partner organizations.
Getting Started with Digital Devices and Setting Them Up
The first Masterclass was designed to introduce seniors to digital devices and provide them with the necessary skills to set up and use these devices. The interactive and practical nature of the event ensured that attendees were able to engage with the material in a meaningful way.
The Masterclass was divided into three parts, with the first part focusing on introducing seniors to the concept of technology and digital devices. The attendees were able to gain a better understanding of the right choices for a digital device and the specific characteristics that make these devices easier to use for seniors.
In the second part of the Masterclass, trainers demonstrated how to configure digital devices and explained the steps that seniors can take to set up their own devices. This practical demonstration helped the attendees gain the confidence they needed to start using these devices on their own.
The final stage of the Masterclass saw the seniors divided into smaller groups and provided with digital devices to work with. The trainers closely supervised the seniors as they went through all the practical steps of configuring these devices.
By the end of the event, the seniors had developed the skills to identify, differentiate, and activate various types of digital devices and online services. They were able to increase their independence, improve their cognitive development, and enhance their standard of living.
The event successfully achieved its objectives and equipped the attendees with the skills and knowledge they needed to integrate digital devices in their daily lives.
Familiarization with the Online Environment and Specific Utilities
The second Masterclass was an interactive and practice-based learning opportunity designed for seniors to enhance their understanding and use of the digital world.
The masterclass focused on providing information about the online environment and what can be accessed and used online. The seniors were shown how to search for information on topics of interest, communicate with relatives and friends, pay bills and access administrative services, find health tips, and improve their lifestyle.
Divided into smaller groups, the seniors had the opportunity to exemplify to each other what they had learned during the masterclass.
The language used during the event was simple and understandable to help seniors become familiar with the digital world.
The event aimed to help attendees develop the ability to access the internet and use digital devices, activate online services, and become more autonomous in their daily lives.
The masterclass contributed to the project objectives by awakening seniors' interest in technology and raising their awareness regarding the importance of the internet and the digital world. They learned how technology could improve their lives, solve problems, and cultivate their personal interests. The event was also designed to help seniors understand that the computer is not just an impersonal and cold tool but could also be used to strengthen friendships, exchange experiences, and restore relationships.
Through attending this masterclass, seniors were expected to understand what the internet is and what services they could access online. They were also expected to develop and strengthen their autonomy, the ability to identify and differentiate different types of online services, and to enhance their cognitive development. Overall, the event was a great success and an excellent opportunity for seniors to gain a better understanding of the digital world.
Deepening the use of internet for research and communication
The third Masterclass had the purpose of deepening the use of the internet for research and communication among seniors. The activities were practical in nature, with the seniors working in smaller groups to put into practice what they had learned in the previous masterclasses. The seniors were taught how to connect to the internet, create an email account, send and receive messages via email, and surf the internet using different devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Some of the seniors brought their own devices to the classroom, allowing them to apply what they learned directly to their own devices.
Attendees learned how to access the online environment, communicate with relatives and friends, and find useful information. By teaching seniors how to use digital technologies, the activity aimed to encourage seniors to develop a better understanding of the way of thinking of young people and their children and grandchildren, enabling them to get closer to them.
The results of the activity were that seniors were taught how to access the internet, open an email account, use chat services, surf the internet, and communicate online. By learning these skills, seniors can exploit new technologies in their daily lives, overcome loneliness and distance, and benefit from cognitive improvement as the use of electronic devices can help to reduce the impact of cognitive decline, which affects almost 40% of people over 70, and improve their cognitive abilities, especially their memory. Overall, the use of new technologies can provide support in keeping the brain trained to delay the effects of aging and keep the mind active and lively even in old age.
Deepening internet utilities for commerce, administration and lifestyle
The purpose of the fourth Masterclass was to deepen internet utilities for commerce, administration, and lifestyle for seniors.
The masterclass aimed to be practical and hands-on, with seniors working in smaller groups and learning how to access online commercial, administrative, and lifestyle services. They were taught where to look for information, what search engines are, and what websites they can access. They learned where to find products they can buy, where to pay bills, and how to do it, where to look for health advice, and how to get in touch with doctors, nutritionists, coaches, and other specialists from whom they can get useful advice. The seniors also learned where and how to find information about culture and entertainment and how to make new friends.
The activity helped to reach the project objectives by providing seniors with digital skills and knowledge that would help them feel less lonely and marginalized. Seniors who live independently, especially in the context of the Covid pandemic, may be cut off from family members and friends, and the internet and new communication opportunities could help them connect with loved ones. Seniors could also use the internet to access a plethora of websites, apps, products, and services, allowing them to carry out various transactions with ease, monitor their health and well-being, and stay informed about the world around them.
Data security for seniors
The fifth Masterclass aimed to educate seniors about internet traps and ways to protect themselves from online dangers.
Attendees learned about the various types of online scams and the links they should avoid clicking. The trainers explained the behavior of cybercriminals who target seniors and offered advice on how to recognize and avoid social engineering tricks.
The masterclass helped attendees understand the potential dangers of using digital devices and provided them with the necessary knowledge to protect themselves. They learned how to set complex passwords and use biometrics, device locking options to avoid unauthorized access to device content, and how to download apps only from official stores and trusted sources.
Seniors also learned to check the permissions requested by apps and how to pay attention to messages. The Masterclass helped raise seniors' awareness of online dangers and how to manage them.
The expected results of the activity are that seniors will maintain a digital independence while staying protected from online dangers. They will know how to protect their devices with specific security applications, download only trusted apps, and check the permissions requested by apps. Attendees also learned to be vigilant and not let their guard down, especially when personal information or an invitation to click on a link is requested.
Overall, the Masterclass was a successful step in achieving the project objectives of keeping seniors independent and protected from online dangers. The event helped seniors maintain their perception of independence gained through digital literacy, physical and mental wellbeing, and an appropriate lifestyle for active ageing both physically and cognitively.
Multiplication event
Throughout the duration of the Seniors in Digital Era (SIDE) project, two dissemination events were thoughtfully organized, one in each partnering country, to effectively promote the project's mission and outcomes. These carefully structured events included an array of presentations, audio-visual materials, and infographics that artfully showcased the various stages of the project's development, as well as its tangible results such as the project website and informative brochures. Attendees were also privileged to hear first-hand accounts of the remarkable experiences of those who participated in the project's masterclasses. Moreover, to enhance the effectiveness of the dissemination events, each participant was given a comprehensive conference map and an informational packet containing actionable tips for promoting the project's sustainability, along with convenient quick links for accessing the project's educational materials. The Romanian and Cypriot dissemination events attracted an impressive array of attendees, ranging from seniors themselves, representatives of institutions, both public and private organizations, social assistance departments, staff working in nursing homes, as well as young people eager to share digital knowledge with their grandparents. Specialists such as psychologists and sociologists who are deeply interested in the field of digitization for the elderly were also present, rendering the events an opportunity for stimulating dialogue and valuable exchange.