Download - Library Instruction for Older Adults
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Outline
The Need for Instruction Demographics Barriers to Learning Benefits of Learning
How to Teach Seniors to Use Computers Lessons from Liberal Memorial Library Relevant Characteristics of Seniors Tips for Teaching Seniors
Seniors Frequently Asked Questions
The Need for Instruction
Demographic Statistics
Within 10 years 1/4 of Americans will be over 55 years old.
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The Need for Instruction
The AARP anticipates that there will be 106 million Americans over the age of 50.
Graphic from: Prisuta, R. (2004). Older adults on-line: Trends and behaviors [PowerPoint Presentation]. Retrieved March 18, 2005, from http://assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/articles/ research/oww/university/PrisutaPresentation.ppt
The Need for Instruction
Demographic Statistics
13% of Kansans are over 65. Only 29% of adults over 65 have ever
used a computer. The over 65 age group is the fastest
growing segment of computer users.
The Need for Instruction
Barriers to Learning
Concerned they will break computer No one has taken time to teach them. They don’t know what computers can do
for them. Negative experiences with other computer
classes
The Need for Instruction
Why Teach Seniors to use Computers?
Helps them become life-long learners Enhances quality of life
Gives them a sense of empowerment Promotes self-confidence Increases autonomy Enhances their ability to learn Improves their memory retention Reduces loneliness Helps combat depression Improves physical health Helps them keep alert Gives them a sense of self-efficacy and control Negates the negative effects of isolation
They have a great need for information.
The Need for Instruction
Information needs of seniors Health Legal information Crafts Travel and maps Products Weather News Sports Genealogy
Lessons Learned Most common comment was “I should
have taken the basic class.” We did not step far enough into their
shoes. Many did not know how to restart the
computer. Most did not know how to change screen
resolution. Repetition aids learning. Handouts are important.
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Lessons Learned
Characteristics of seniors Physical and cognitive aging
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Characteristics of Seniors
Reduced function of all senses Ability to focus on short distances diminishes
(Presbyopia). Loss of contrast sensitivity Loss of ability to detect fine details Difficulty discerning colors in the green-blue-violet
range Increased sensitivity to glare due to thickening of the
lens Decreased light sensitivity due to shrinking of the pupil
According to the American Optometric Association, a 60 and 80 year-olds retina only receives 33% and 12% respectively of the light of an average 20 year old.
Decreased ability to hear high frequencies
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Characteristics of Seniors
Reduced motor control Motor function slows and continuous movements
become more difficult while deficits in coordination are observed.
Some seniors have involuntary hand movements. Arthritic fingers have a tendency to ‘right click’ rather than ‘left click.’
Ability to make small movements declines with age. Harder to use a mouse. Difficult to point and click,
double-click, click and drag
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Characteristics of Seniors
Cognitive differences Older adults read text more slowly. Need more time to process new information
Older adults have been found to request up to four times as much help as younger adults during training.
Need more practice time to learn new tasks Older adults need a period of training twice as long
as younger adults. Greater difficulty drawing implicit inferences Decreased ability to ignore irrelevant stimuli and
thoughts This contributes to reduced text comprehension.
Reduced spatial memory
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Characteristics of Seniors
The positive side of the story Age-related changes occur at different rates in
different people. Many abilities do not change.
General world knowledge Semantic memory Procedural memory
Seniors have some advantages in learning situations.
More self-aware More disciplined and determined
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Characteristics of Seniors
Characteristics of seniors Physical and cognitive aging They are less familiar with technology
They may be apprehensive. They may not know basic terminology.
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Characteristics of Seniors
How many meanings do these terms have?
• Click• Scroll• Back• Link• url• Menu bar• Toolbar• IM• Minimize• Login• Home• Shortcut• Browser• Window• File• Icon
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Characteristics of Seniors
Characteristics of seniors Physical and cognitive aging They are less familiar with technology.
They may be apprehensive. They may not know basic terminology.
They have different learning preferences.
They want practical information. They want step-by-step details. They want in-person instruction.
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Characteristics of Seniors
Setting and classes Limit classes to seniors only.
This will help ease anxiety and create camaraderie. It is also a great idea to pair seniors.
Offer classes as early in the day as possible. Seniors tend to be most alert at this time.
Use a room that is warm, well-lighted, and removed from distractions. This will help compensate for seniors
reduced ability to inhibit attention.
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Teaching Tips
Teacher behaviors Speak slowly with frequent pauses.
going too quickly is one of the most common complaints seniors have about computer instruction.
Avoid jargon. don’t try to dazzle with your knowledge of
RAM and ROM and megahertz. Be positive and patient. Assure them
they will succeed. it is especially important to build confidence
early on.
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Teaching Tips
General teaching strategies Make learning objectives clear and
explicit. Provide explicit step-by-step
instructions. Encourage questions and discussion. Use analogies to link new concepts to
prior knowledge.
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Teaching Tips
Try these analogies: A password is like a toothbrush:
you should change it often and never share it.• Menus in computer programs are like menus
in a restaurant. • A toolbar is like a menu in a fast food
restaurant. • Computer hardware is like the pieces of a
board game that you can see & touch. • Software is like the instructions for the game.
The instructions control how the game is played and set the rules.
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Teaching Tips
General teaching strategies Make learning objectives clear and
explicit. Provide explicit step-by-step
instructions. Encourage questions and discussion. Use analogies to link new concepts to
prior knowledge. Focus on the content or value of the
work, not on the computer application.
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Teaching Tips
Empower seniors to learn Show seniors how to adjust mouse pointer
settings to a slower speed Show seniors how to adjust mouse double-
click speed to a slower setting Show seniors how to change text size. Show them how to tilt their monitor and how
to adjust brightness and contrast settings. Encourage them to practice using the mouse. Show them Microsoft’s step-by-step tutorials
for adjusting accessibility options.
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Teaching Tips
Provide handouts and supplementary material
Handouts should include pictures of toolbars and buttons with a short description of their functions
Handouts should provide step-by-step comprehensive instructions
Use clear, concise wording with a serif font such as Times New Roman.
Include plenty of white space and space for notes. Provide a glossary for looking up terminology Provide lists of additional resources and tutorials
How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Teaching Tips
Questions seniors frequently ask about computers
How can I send e-mail? How can I read e-mail from others? What do I do if my computer seems stuck? Why won’t this link open when I click on it? Where can I find reliable health information? Is it safe to buy things online? How can I attach something to an e-mail? Why is my computer so stupid?
Seniors Frequently AskedQuestions