THE THIRD READING AGE

In recent years, countries across the EU, including partner countries, have seen an increase in the availability of digital library services to citizens, with more fiction e-books, apps and e-book repositories being available to all citizens and users of public libraries. This is the result of advances in legislation and the copyright act in relation to e-books, as well as the initiatives of libraries dedicated to modernising their services.

Through the THIRD READING AGE project we plan to increase the quality of interaction between teachers and library employees and senior learners/users so as to advance pedagogical and motivation competencies, ensure better cooperation and communication by means of ICT tools, and increase knowledge of digital reading tools. We also expect to have more competent teachers in adult education and library employees with increased professional skills that will be able to advance beyond the limits of a traditional approach to education and reading culture. This project enables a simpler and more flexible development of senior citizens’ competencies by providing high quality online learning possibilities.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

E-reading curriculum for adults

The e-reading curriculum is focused on facilitation, encouragement and consideration of new ways of reading for senior citizens through the use of new technologies. The main goals are to increase access of senior citizens to new communication technologies and develop a reading culture among citizens above 60 years of age.

E-book reading community portal

The available e-learning portal, which contains activities and tools in English and all partners’ languages, will support senior citizens in the acquisition of planned skills. Activities and tools on the portal will also be available for independent learning to any (senior) citizen not directly included in the programme who wants to develop competencies for the use of digital tools, participate in reader clubs, or use national resources for reading e-books.

Training programme for teachers in adult education and library employees: Working with senior learners.

The training programme will support teachers in adult education and library employees to integrate non-traditional approaches and digital tools in their work with senior learners. Teachers and library employees will acquire the methods necessary to support (self)learning in a virtual environment.

GOALS

• to increase access of senior citizens to new communication technologies and develop a reading culture among citizens above 60 years of age
• to contribute to the development of competencies of teachers in adult education and library employees working with senior citizens, so as to be able to adapt their teaching to their local context and learners’ needs
• to contribute to the development of new education materials and resources aimed at stimulating activity of senior citizens in a virtual environment.