1. Connecting older people
in semi-rural areas
mobile learning scenario from a cross-generational
house in Germany
Daniel Zils
medien+bildung.com / Germany

2. General
Workshops in Wittlich, Germany
• three dates in September/October 2011
• Up to 17 participants
• Aged 50+
• Unexperienced to semi-professional
mobile phone users
• Own mobile phones, from 12 year old
Siemens S25 to Apple Iphone 4 and
Samsung S2

3. Intended learning outcomes
• confident handling of the photo and
video functions on the mobile phone
•Transfer of the outcomes from the
mobile phone to other devices
• options for documenting knowledge,
experience and directions from their
everyday lives in photo sequences that
are easy to comprehend
• production of web albums with Picasa
and connection of photos with Google
Maps

4. Phase 1: Introducing the technology
• familiarisation with the basic functions
of the used mobile phones
• peer-to-peer teaching by more
experienced participants
• production of short photo sequences
• presentation to the group

5. Phase 1: Introducing the technology – example of a
photo sequence

6. Phase 2: The digital mobile journal
• as a homeassignment participants
produce short photo stories
• depicting events or information from
their everyday life
• the more experienced could send them
by email to the trainer
• some used cameras instead of mobile
phones

7. Phase 2: The digital mobile journal - example

8. Phase 3: Publishing images on the internet
• using Picasa, a Google service for
organizing image albums on the internet
• practice the uploading and publishing
• given insight on relevant aspects of
data protection and personality rights

9. Phase 4: Significant locations for older persons in and
around Wittlich
• participants choose
locations/institutions in their
surrounding of personal
importance
• taking photographs of these
sites
• publishing these pictures with
Picasa
• Connecting the pictures with
Google Maps

10. Phase 4: Significant locations for older persons in and
around Wittlich – examples

11. Phase 4: Significant locations for older persons in and
around Wittlich – examples

12. Lessons learnt
• Due to the open character of the centre, course offerings
spread over several meetings are subject to more fluctuation
than workshops held in one unit.
• This scenario proceeds in small steps to accommodate the
wishes and needs of the target group. The trainer explains the
exercises very simply, adapting as closely as possible to the needs
and interests of older persons.
• integrating the more experienced members of the group as
peer-to-peer trainers in individual work phases is helpful
• mobile learning used in informal contexts with older persons is
uncommon, but not unlikely

13. Possible Follow-Ups
• production of an internet offering as a space for exchange
among older persons on their experience and their stories
• As a medium for communication, the Picasa service portal can
be used privately, by groups of friends, or by institutions working
in an educational context. It is possible to post peer-to-peer
offerings where more and less experienced users develop their
mobile skills together, for example in the form of a “mobile café”,
or to create family offerings for older persons and their
grandchildren..
• producing a city map for older persons that expands
dynamically