What can we tell from the
online learning inclusion and opportunities for Singaporean seniors?
Being accustomed to these conventional technological accesses like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, teaching team and students have been adopting these learning platforms. Remote learning is familiar to schools in Singapore and especially in higher education institutes, but not for the seniors.
How did online learning and ICT all start?
So far, Singapore has proposed a series of “Infocomm Bridging” programs to include the less tech-savvy seniors in the virtual age (Andreasson 153). The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) set up a Digital Readiness Blueprint in 2018, with the intention of “driving digital literacy and strengthening digital inclusion” (3). From 2003 to 2006, the government introduced programs such as “Equipping the Needy with NEU (new or furbished used) PC Plus”, “Empowering the Disabled with Infocomm Accessibility Centre” and “Engaging Senior Citizens with Silver Infocomm Initiative” (Lim and Guo 152).
In this case, online learning parallels the Silver Infocomm Junctions’s (SIJs) scope— to arrange online classes to advocate the isolated seniors in home environments to take up ICT skills and utilising technology to benefit in one’s lifestyle (Digital Readiness Blueprint 4).
“Infocomm Bridging” programs aim to support and guide Singaporeans who needed assistance in using Information 
and Communication Technology.
Dr. Janil Puthucheary

Senior Minister of State,
Ministry of Communications and Information
What has MCI done about ICT/lifelong education, and is it adequate?
To figure this out, an analysis of the bureaucracies who proposed Digital Readiness
Blueprint towards a smart nation country: the Ministry of Communications and Information
(MCI). MCI consists of representatives who debate policies in the Singapore Parliament. Parliamentary. The questions posted are issues or concerns 
by other Members of Parliament, usually spoken for the public’s interest.
The data is gathered through the Pressroom—found in MCI’s official website— on the Parliamentary Questions submitted, and MCI’s response the PQs on media
 and information
in the country between July 2019 and November 2020. Since ICT and online learning is still unwelcoming to some seniors, it enables us to 
analyse the general concern of the bureaucracies and the Members of the Parliament—if any of it is about the ICT and online learning needs.
Here are some findings.
It seems that MCI place high importance in public access to technology and the availability
of smart devices. Financial strains from the lower-income have been well taken care of, with subsidiaries on learning tools such as laptop and mobile plans. As such, access to technology
and unaffordable devices is not a significant concern for seniors to adopt online learning.
Less than a quarter of the Parliamentary Questions are about seniors, and those regarding online learning came in at the bottom place. Not leaning towards such questions means there is less time spent talking about policies more relevant to strengthen digital inclusion and lifelong education among the seniors.
Availability of online learning opportunities
​
Thanks to technology-enabled learning, education is becoming more accessible and pervasive. Internet use by older adults has risen efficaciously, with search engines making it easy to find online courses. But here is the question: are there many opportunities for to learn to adopt ICT and other lifelong learning skills/information? Here are some findings in the list of available online courses across different 
age groups.
It makes sense that students and soon to be postgraduates are entitled to more openings of
online courses because (a) educational background which allows them to advance in learning;
(b) between younger or older people—the majority of the online information addresses the latter. Online courses are also essential to help build and upgrade their skills for personal interest and career opportunities. Besides, there are limited educational contents for older adults. Lifelong learning takes on the sole purpose of building a meaningful ageing experience, equipping older learners with modern skills for self-improvement and hobby.
Misconceptions and assumptions exist, given the majority of the older adults had no experience and knowledge in adopting digital technology at school or work (Vroman et al., 157). Not only
are older adults stereotyped, but they also face impediments in the lack of training opportunities
in their work environments, as reflected in the majority of the training and development programs that advocate towards younger employees (Githens 6). Combining the efforts of lowering social inequalities and increasing learning opportunities among geriatrics could potentially heighten
their interest in online learning.
How online learning is conducted makes a difference
​
Based on the available institutions that conducts online courses for seniors above,
a comparison is made to analyse the learning environment and experience. From each institution, random courses was selected.
While they highly require assistance in learning, an online learning environment offers engaging communication and social support which is needed. However, inadequacy in the context of planning online courses for older adults results in an adverse effect. Designers and instructors are more inclined towards designing for people like themselves, rather than those
in a different stage of life with different needs and attributes (Keates et al.) The lack of technical environment and consideration for online learning is considered a cause for older adults to shun online learning adoption.
So what can we tell from this?
​
So far, there is little development of a strategic planning system for an engaging online learning course and opportunities for lifelong learning. It is vital to consider
the learning differences between older individuals and the younger individuals. Combining the efforts of lowering social inequalities and increasing learning opportunities could potentially heighten their interest in online learning.