McDonald's Korea Director Lee Jin-hee, right, receives an education minister's honor certificate from Deputy Minister of Education Kim Young-gon at Sejong Convention Center, Friday, for introducing an education program for older adults in Korea on how to use kiosks at quick service restaurants. Courtesy of McDonald's Korea
Education helps digitally vulnerable age group
By Ko Dong-hwan
A McDonald's Korea executive has been recognized by the government for promoting an educational program aimed at helping older adults in Korea navigate kiosks at quick-service restaurants (QSR), the company's Korean subsidiary announced on Monday.
The Ministry of Education on Friday awarded McDonald's Korea Director Lee Jin-hee for encouraging the digitally vulnerable age group to learn how to use the food ordering system, which has become a common feature in the domestic fast-food industry. The award highlights the ongoing education program's positive impact on assisting consumers in an industry that is increasingly attracting customers, due to soaring dine-in prices across the country.
Education Minister Lee Ju-ho bestowed the honor to Lee via Deputy Minister Kim Young-gon during the 21st Lifelong Education Award ceremony at Sejong Convention Center. The award, hosted annually by the ministry and organized by the National Institute for Lifelong Education (NILE), recognizes the best examples of continuing education for older adults across all social sectors.
The education program run by McDonald’s Korea delivers to the age group with the help of NILE. The company signed a partnership with NILE in April 2023 and agreed that NILE develop content and produce materials while McDonald's provide its restaurants nationwide to students to test their skills.
The 10-chapter textbook, titled “Digital Illiteracy Education with McDonald’s Kiosks,” details key features and terms related to food-ordering kiosks in general and methods on how to use the machines — from navigating menus to selecting choices, making payments in multiple options and getting a number slip and a receipt.
The program also employed a specially designed smartphone app that simulated the interface of McDonald's kiosks to train the students before inviting them to a McDonald’s restaurant to get their hands on the machines.
As of October, over 15,900 textbooks are available at 536 education institutes for continuing studies across the country.
“Not just to reduce the inconvenience often experienced by our senior patrons at McDonald’s restaurants, this is part of what proves our motto, ‘restaurants for everyone,’” Lee said.
“We plan to keep introducing new ways for our senior consumers to enjoy at our restaurants.”
English (United States) ·