Title: Enhancing technology professional development for older adults in Ghana to bridge the digital divide: a systematic review

Authors: Jonathan Odame

Addresses: Department of Distance Education, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

Abstract: This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of technology professional development programmes in improving digital literacy and reducing the digital divide among older adults (ages 25-65) in Ghana. Guided by social cognitive theory, factors such as self-efficacy, social and observational learning, and cultural considerations were examined. Searches across databases like PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar identified ten studies published between 2010 and 2022. These studies demonstrated significant improvements in digital literacy, mobile phone, tablet, or internet usage. Despite promising outcomes, limitations such as small sample sizes, lack of long-term follow-up, and self-selection bias were noted. The findings highlight the importance of such programmes in enhancing digital skills and bridging the technology gap among older adults in Ghana. Future research should investigate the sustainability of these improvements and assess programme designs through comparative studies to ensure long-term impact.

Keywords: digital divide; technology; professional development; older adults.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMARTTL.2024.144514

International Journal of Smart Technology and Learning, 2024 Vol.4 No.2, pp.151 - 167

Received: 21 Apr 2023
Accepted: 30 Jul 2023
Published online: 17 Feb 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article