Media services offered directly to viewers via the Internet (video or music streaming services, journals and magazines, Newsletter or podcasts, among others) are getting popular among population in the recent years, especially due to their multiple options and access possibilities, as they can be accessed via websites on personal computers, as well as via apps on mobile devices (such as smartphones and tablets), digital media players (including video game consoles), or televisions with integrated Smart TV platforms.
Subscription-based services have their own separate platforms, but the services they offer and the terms they use are very similar. Before you start the learning process, it is advisable to collect additional information from the internet that may be useful to you regarding both purchases and consumer rights. During the learning process, try to choose subscription-based services platforms from large online media channels that have a simple and user-friendly environment. Also, recommend to the elderly some web tools to help them trace online media channels of their interest.
The most important things the learners should learn in this section are:
- Identify the most reliable online media channels
- Opening an account at an online media channels
- What access options (users, devices, contents, etc.) are available and what should they pay attention to
- How they can pay
- What are the consumer’s basic rights in online shopping; for this part you can use these guides from the EU Justice and Consumers website.
Exercise 5.5: Subscription Based Service
Duration: 1 H 30’ (60’ explanatory session + 30’ practical session)
Aims: Check the different media cultural and informational options available in different media devices so that senior citizens can access for entertainment or information purposes
Contents:
- Intro: Explanation of the most popular online media channels (video on demand (VOD), music on demand, Newsletter services, podcasts, e-books, etc.)
- Aspects to consider before subscribing: access options, devices available, payment and unsubscribing options, etc.
- Other tips: Log Out, privacy, confidentiality, etc.
Activity 5.5.1: Subscribe to a month trial period in a VOD media channel
- Purpose of the exercise: Access to a video-on-demand platform and manage the different options, accounts, devices, etc.
- Duration in minutes: 30 minutes.
- Group size: Small group (4 or more students).
- Instructions for the trainer:
- Propose a VOD platform.
- Briefly explaining the different VOD platforms at the beginning of the session.
- Compare the different options, catalogue, prices, accounts, devices available, etc.
- Explain the registration process to the VOD platform.
- Explain the structure (menu) and functionalities of the VOD platform.
- Accessibility: focus on dealing with the barriers that senior citizen may face (e.g. subtitles, language).
- Equipment: Smart TV, Chromecast, Smartphone and /or Computer, slide projector / videoconference system.
- Tips and tricks for the trainer:
- Focusing on a popular VOD platform among senior students.
- Focus on an easy-accessibility approach.
