Social map tool: Analysis of the social interactions of elderly people in a virtual learning environment

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze the social interactions of the elderly in a distance course in order to propose pedagogical strategies that can maximize the relationships in the virtual. The perspective of a long life for a large part of population poses new challenges in terms of technology, as public policies as individuals themselves. In this process discuss a permanent education during aging is fundamental. In this sense, there is a need to investigate the social interactions established in a virtual learning environment in Distance Learning, in order to build pedagogical strategies that enable the improvement of the quality of life of the elderly. Therefore, in order to reach the main objective of the research the methodology adopted was in a quanti-qualitative approach, composed of four stages: (1) Construction of theoretical framework; (2) Development of Distance Courses “Viv@EAD”; (3) Construction of Pedagogical Strategies for the social interactions of the elderly in Distance Learning; (4) Disclosure of results. Thirty elderly people participated in the research and at the blended course, over the 60 years. The results obtained showed a greater interaction when the elderly were instigated by the teachers of the course, being necessary the adoption of pedagogical strategies that make possible this engagement.