This document discusses whether modern personal computing equipment meets the needs of older adult learners. It summarizes research from the perspectives of learners, education providers, and the results of computer training studies for older adults. The main findings are that older learners' needs are not fully being met by current computer technologies and designs, which are often not intuitive or accessible for aging users. Improving accessibility, instructional approaches, and support for lifelong learning is needed to help older adults benefit from technology.

1. Technology and Older Learners
Does Modern Personal Computing Equipment
Meet the Needs of Older Adult Learners?
By Stacey Alexander
Education 6590, Memorial University
For Dr. Amarjit Singh
Friday, December 2, 2011

2. Introduction
• many advances in technology
• technology integrated into everyday
life
• global older population is
increasing1

3. Introduction
• older adults often do not know how
to use newer technologies
• technology has bypassed older
generation2
• older adults need to stay connected
and have access to information

4. Introduction
• education is part of an active aging
strategy
• active aging can improve health,
productivity, independence, and
quality of life3
• educational resources, services and
technologies need to be accessible

5. Research Question
Is modern personal computing
equipment meeting the needs
of older adult learners?

6. Definitions of Terms
• older adults are individuals 60 years
of age and older
• modern personal computing
equipment is any electronic device
or tool that is used to access
software and the internet via a
computer

7. Personal Computing Equipment
• examples:
o keyboard
o mouse
o laptop
o netbook
o tablet
o smartphone

8. Why is This Important?
• activity, care and education of older
adults can improve:
o health
o productivity
o social connectedness
o overall quality of life4
• aging affects everyone; we are all
aging

9. Research Methodology
• mixed methods approach:
o quantitative and qualitative studies
o peer-reviewed, academic journals
• triangulation of data is based on three
perspectives in the literature:5
o learners, education providers, and
results from training

10. Aging Population and Technology
• Internet is becoming more available
• good for socially isolated people
• its use can improve social
connectivity6, productivity, self-driven
education about health issues3

11. Aging Population and Technology
• world health is improving but older
adults still have chronic ailments
• health information accessible via the
Internet would be helpful and
empowering7,8
• older users search for health
information more than younger users9

12. Aging Population and Technology
• older adults do not pursue education
because of factors including:
o situational factors (perception of
personal issues, time, health
limitations10)
o internal factors (low confidence in ability
to learn about technology, not relevant11)

13. Aging Population and Technology
• elderly need reassurance about
technology learning abilities12
• computer knowledge can help to
perform daily tasks, improve quality of
life, facilitate training13,14

14. The Learners’ Perspective
• two requirements for people to use information
via the internet15 specify that users require easy-
to-use technology, design and equipment.
• benefits of the Internet cannot be realized by
older users unless computers and input devices
are designed to accommodate their needs 16
• W3C WAI established guidelines help web
designers and developers ensure all users are
able to access web content via the Internet over
the long-term17

15. The Learners’ Perspective
• older computer users feel less comfortable, competent,
or in control than younger users, and are more likely to
avoid other common forms of technology18
• older people may not believe that digital devices are
applicable to their everyday lives since they did not use
them during their youth1
• once older people ―establish for themselves the personal
benefit of technology, they are more... willing to adopt it
in their everyday lives‖ 18
• the changing sense of self is an important part of the
learning process for older learners19

16. The Learners’ Perspective
• older users with arthritis had difficulties using a computer
mouse, and the action of double-clicking posed a
problem for others20
• one study used a variety of different devices21
• hands-free devices were unsuited for older users,
needed further development, were designed for special
needs users only, or required other devices to work
• keyboards were conducive to poor postures, mice
required motor control, touchscreens required precise
selection on the screen, but these three devices were
the best choices for older users21

17. The Learners’ Perspective
• assistive technology devices (ATDs) are tools,
devices and services that help people with
different disabilities22,23
• older users need ATD training and assistance to
obtain ATDs, and they can change users’ lives22
• for people with intellectual or cognitive
disabilities, devices with special design features
can increase community safety and security,
socialization and social connectedness24

18. The Learners’ Perspective
• some users with limited to no computer training
experienced a great deal of trouble with using
computers and devices25,13
• other users with pre-established technology
enthusiasm26 or prior instruction25 were more
successful
• participants in one study did not use computers
because they felt too old, they did not want or need
one, they wanted to use it on their own terms, they
associated computers with negative values, or
rejecting computers made them feel empowered 27

19. Education Providers’ Perspective
• no typical older adult learner28
• American older learners have distinct
characteristics:
o power users
o older men
o the well-to-do
o health traditionalists
o health technologists29
• women may pursue more education than men30
because of exposure to household appliance
technology4 or a lack of opportunities the past31

20. Education Providers’ Perspective
• individualized or small-group learning
situations32,6
• engage and stimulate the learner while reducing
anxiety and building confidence33
• learning environment should be straightforward,
non-technical, interactive, informal and fun34
• guided learning and immediate feedback are
recommended for teaching older adults learning
how to use the internet13

21. Education Providers’ Perspective
• social benefit of education enables older
learners to try new activities, meet new people,
learn in supportive, like-minded groups, gain
confidence, assertiveness, skills, communication
strategies, and to keep the mind active31
• didactic approach helps develop active living,
social interchange between equals,
intergenerational interaction, and solidarity35

22. Education Providers’ Perspective
• not enough courses offered to or taken by
older learners
• governments may not be encouraging
lifelong learning enough for older
learners36
• International organizations (ie, Elderhostel,
U3A) available to mobile, independent,
active older learners28

23. Education Providers’ Perspective
• community-based public continuing education programs
needed 37,38
• centre for independent living could help older adults
acquire resources about using computers
independently22
• libraries used by many adults learners 39 and older
adults40
• public education system could provide education about
aging41
• some programs pair younger mentors with older users
for computer learning13

24. Results of Computer Training
• no major psychosocial difference was found between
older learners and peers who did not try to learn
personal computing skills6
• in a different study, participants felt increased social
support, connectivity and reduced technology anxiety33
• one group was still using their new computer skills two
months after their study had ended, and had made
efforts to reach out to friends and family via the Internet34
• older adults are more likely to use online social tools to
create new social connections or sustain existing
relationships in a positive way6

25. Results of Computer Training
• most common online sites for older users:
o personal websites
o personal correspondence and creative writing
o education and computer training
o commercial services, newsgroups and resources
o local community sites
o virtual communities
o online magazines
o new, similar web content42

26. Results of Computer Training
• Professional educators provide the most
effective Internet instruction for active older
learners
• family support makes success more likely 43 :
o changes perception of computer instruction 43
o increases self-confidence and internet self-
efficacy, better educational outcomes43
• ―Learning in later life can improve older adults’
lives…when contents and contexts of their
learning match their interests and needs‖ 37

27. Discussion
• general consensus among the three
perspectives examined
• learners tend to feel positively about
learning to use computer equipment but
many obstacles
• anxiety about technology, low self
confidence

28. Discussion
• obstacles are based on older designs
and policies
• higher-level planning and funding
needed
• we need to rethink how education and
lifelong learning is included in later
life44

29. Conclusion
• older learners’ needs are not being met by
personal computing equipment
• computer technology is not fully accessible
or intuitive for older adults
• improved accessibility, instructional
design, and understanding of the impact of
aging populations on national resources
and society will help to improve the
situation

30. Conclusion
―Problems arising from the digital divide
between older adults and…social computing
will become worse than ever if we do not
intervene now.‖1

31. Limitations
• participants may not complete a study
from start to finish
• results may only feature the more ―robust‖
participants, which could skew results
• one study experienced a loss of 48% of
their initial sample of volunteer participants
before the study was completed33

32. Limitations
• researchers only test individuals who can
travel to the study location, unless
researchers go to them45
• computer equipment and devices are
being tested on younger groups, not
including older people, so perhaps older
adults were not included in initial testing
with some computer device designs45

33. Implications for Future Research
• developing assistive technologies,
including eye and brain input12
• cutting-edge devices as possible computer
alternative for older adults
• more data on long-term use and retention
of computer knowledge after training has
been completed10,13

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