TAO/Handbook/Welcome

Welcome to the TAO Handbook!
The TAO Handbook is a collection of practical and background information on how to involve older adults in online communities and online collaboration.

It was conceived primarily for two types of users:
 * managers of online communities and people in charge of online collaboration (in an educational setting or other);
 * trainers and multiplicators in online communities and collaboration.

A special characteristic of the Handbook is that it still can be edited by anyone. As it was created within the Wikimedia project Wikiversity you possibly hold in your hands a printed edition of the Handbook, however there may already be a version containing additional material available on the web.

If you want to go on online right now follow this link http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/TAO/Handbook. We would be glad to also benefit from your experience!

Contributing
Our Handbook was set on a collaborative platform for a purpose. We think that you have a lot of relevant experience. Help us make this Handbook better, and add your own information! Find out how in the next module.

Contents
The Handbook contains several chapters that treat different types of information.

We start out with a chapter containing background information on several relevant topics. To start with, the chapter outlines features of the group targeted by the Handbook users: older adults. Information is given on their internet use, motivation to join an online community and how they may benefit from it. Different strategies to foster their participation are outlined. Then, the important role of volunteers and a general information on usability issues are presented. The chapter closes with a definition of online communities and communities of practice, giving ideas on how to manage both types of communities.

The following chapter presents activities that have been implemented by partners of the TAO project and evaluated within TAO. Introductory remarks are given on different types of activities. Behind the name of each activity, you will find some key words that will help you see right away what the activity was about.

A chapter on online tools presents some basic properties of tools for online collaboration and aims to give hints for evaluating their usefulness according to the needs of a online community.

In “General Conditions”, you will find some information on how to organise projects and activities, as well as hints on how to build a financially sustainable community and raise funding.

"Methods and Practical Tools” contains concrete methods you can use during activities, to teach older adults, evaluate activities or solve problems.

You've found a mistake or think something is missing? Don't hesitate to edit or add new elements!

Links
Learn more about the project the idea for this Handbook came from.

The Handbook is part of the AAL project Third Age Online (TAO). Read more on the project's website.

Read more about the Ambient Assisted Living programme on its website.