Elders Teach Elders Step by Step... Eliminating the Digital Blind Spot

Senior Instructors Aged 55 and Over
Teaching Fellow Seniors How to Use Digital Devices

The Seoul Digital Foundation announced that it is recruiting the 'Eodina Support Group,' a team of instructors aged 55 and older for digital education for seniors.

'Eodina Support Group' is an abbreviation of 'Elderly Digital Outing Support Group.' Since 2019, the foundation has operated the support group, training 650 instructors and providing one-on-one education to over 48,000 seniors. From March to October, the support group members will work as instructors educating seniors who have difficulty using digital devices at education centers set up within the city, such as welfare centers, senior centers, and libraries. Starting in the second half of this year, the foundation plans to operate a mobile education center called the 'Digital Care Experience Bus' to enhance educational convenience.

Elderly people are experiencing the process of ordering food through a kiosk. [Image source=Yonhap News]

A new 'Digital Learning Design and Learning Coach System' will also be introduced. While previous education sessions were one-time events, from this year, trainees can receive digital competency assessments and coaching tailored to their level if they wish. They can attend at least three consecutive sessions, which improves learning efficiency.

Eligibility for instructor applicants includes Seoul residents aged 55 or older as of their resident registration (born before April 1, 1969) who hold certifications or have experience in digital-related fields. Selected instructors will work about 30 hours per month and receive an activity fee of 33,000 KRW per 90 minutes. Each individual will also receive support for competency enhancement training and new technology experience education to directly learn information and communication technology (ICT).

Gangg Yosik, Director of the Seoul Digital Foundation, said, "The Eodina Support Group, which creates a new 'No-No (老老) Care' system where seniors educate other seniors, is a project with high satisfaction not only among trainees but also among instructors. We hope many instructors who want to support Seoul’s digitally disadvantaged and grow together will apply."

For more details, please check the Seoul Digital Foundation website’s project announcements or the EduTech Campus website’s notices, or contact the Eodina Support Group project manager.