First Advisor

Donald Truxillo

Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology and University Honors

Department

Psychology

Subjects

Older people -- Training of -- Computer-assisted instruction, Technology and older people, Technological innovations

DOI

10.15760/honors.110

Abstract

Technology-based training is being increasingly adopted by organizations of all sizes. It allows employers to cut costs and to train more employees at the same time. However, arguably the greatest benefit of computer-based training is that it is very flexible and can be customized to the needs of the organization as well as to the individual needs of the trainees. This paper explores what adjustments can be made to computerized training programs for older employees to make their learning most effective. The results of the literature review show that older adults benefit from simple and consistent interface design, large font and empty video background, instructional coherence, redundancy, error management approaches, and goal-setting strategies. Specific goals are better than general goals, and learning goals are more effective than performance goals. Conceptual mapping was found to be a very effective metacognitive strategy. Previous experience with technology was an important factor in predicting older trainees’ cognitive workload and frustration levels. Some of these factors, especially those oriented towards reducing cognitive load may be equally helpful for younger trainees; however, some like redundancy may be detrimental to younger trainees’ learning. More research is needed to determine the interaction between individual variables and different training strategies.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/12738

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