Can genealogical exploration of the past be conducive to the development of ICT competences?

Conclusions from the initial research of the Learning Tree project.

Abstract

Aims. Apart from its numerous benefits, the development of the information society has also resulted in the digital exclusion of people who do not have the competence to use a computer and the Internet. This group is largely made up of older people. The European Union has taken a number of measures to reduce the digital divide, including the funding of ICT training programmes. The research which forms the basis for creating such training for seniors has focused on an analysis of various forms of genealogical activity on the Internet. The authors assumed that seniors are somehow predestined for genealogical activity, due to their age and experience. It was therefore decided to base the computer training programme on the development of genealogical interests.

Methods. The study identified and categorized various forms of genealogical activity on the Internet, and the research was based on "genealogy" records in the Google search engine. Explorations were carried out in four countries: Poland, Turkey, Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 Results. As a result of the explorations, it was found that genealogical activity on the Internet falls into four basic categories: (1) sources of knowledge about genealogy, (2) tools for creating family trees, (3) presentation of the results of genealogical searches, (4) virtual genealogical communities. The last (5) category is of a commercial nature and includes genealogical accessories stores.

 Conclusion. Research conducted in the area of genealogical activity on the Internet leads to the conclusion that it may be an additional motivation for older people to undertake training in the field of ICT, which prompts further didactic and research directions. On the basis of the analysis, the implementation of the training programme in the Learning Tree project was designed and set in motion.