Women like the social side of learning, according to the manager of a computer access provider.
More women than men over 50 are choosing to enrol on ICT courses, according to an expert.
The managing director of UK online centres, Helen Milner, explained females like the sociable side of learning and will go with friends to expand their skills on a course.
She hinted men did not appreciate the social side of learning so were lagging behind women when it came to doing courses - such as learndirect ICT certificates.
Ms Milner also noted older people wanted to learn how to use the internet so they could keep in touch with friends and family.
Recent research by Alliance and Leicester revealed 18 per cent of the over-50s regularly log on to social networking websites such as Facebook and Friends Reunited.
Ms Milner added: "I do think that men can find it quite difficult, to walk into a centre, then they have to do something.
"I think women find it a lot easier to kind of start, and it can be a social thing, so they go along with their friends."
learndirect offers many courses that might be of interest to older people, including how to get started with computers and the internet and ranging through to web design.