Abstract
There is a constant digital gap between older age groups in Germany. For fostering digital inclusion, a nationwide initiative named “Senior-Technology-Experts” was launched in 2013 and funded by a German ministry (BMBF). 18 regional sub-projects empowered technically experienced older persons to explain the use of modern ICT to technically inexperienced older persons for one year. At the end 2014, a research project was started to examine the supporting and limiting factors for ICT exposure. A sample of 134 experts, aged 50–88 years (MD=68), and 145 novices, aged 51–95 years (MD=68) completed an online or paper questionnaire. 5 qualitative focus groups (N=25) were also conducted. The following main results from the supporting factors are highlighted: 1) benefit of older experts acting as role models (see Bandura’s Social Learning Theory), 2) benefit of training offerings which combine formal and informal learning, and 3) benefit of mobile learning, especially with Tablet-PCs and Laptops.