How are older learners faring in today’s digital society? Are they being excluded or left behind? The author explores this question and investigates strategies needed to assist older learners who want to continue learning into their golden years. Canada’s demographics are shifting, with more seniors living longer and leading more productive lives, notably through their participation in education.
Incorporating adult education theory and practice with gerontological statistics and literature, the author considers the situations of older learners, who are faced with both barriers and opportunities. Technology should not be an obstacle to older learners; when potential opportunities arise—and with assistance from family and friends—education can help set older learners on a fulfilling path that enhances their lives.

Dianne Conrad spent thirty-three years teaching and researching, most recently at Athabasca University in the Centre for Distance Education. She is the co-editor of the International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning and is an editorial board member of several international journals. Her research interests include adult and distance education, online learning, and prior learning assessment and recognition.

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