The Focus Group

The Team 1 focus group consisted of Maureen; Edna; John; Jim; Frank; Pat; and Chris. Who were a section of the older generation from the Liverpool area with varying degrees of computer and internet literacy and competence. Between them, they explained that the older generation is like the rest of society in that some people are better at handling the internet and computing than others. They also mentioned that they believe the internet helps the older generation to maintain a social life which is very positive to them health wise. They also realise how much takes place on line and what benefits it can bring them, for example banking and handling their finances; communicating with relatives in distant places; etc. The course tutors mentioned that when the students start the course the first thing they want to do is get on to the internet. With all involved in the focus group adding to this point and stating that the older generation see’s great benefits in what the internet can offer to them, and contrary to the popular belief of some younger people, the older generation wants to become far more involved with the internet and computing which is a very positive point for the peoples stories website and Hurricane Films. The students on the course said that they and many others didn’t understand computing; its jargon; and how the internet worked. Which in turn impeded their progress of being able to do things online. This point was also confirmed by the tutors who took part in the focus group, who reiterated that many of the older generation had the desire to become more involved with the internet and computing but unfortunately didn’t have the knowhow, and were scared to engage with the internet and computing unless they could educate themselves in this field first.