Cognitive-Based E-Learning Design for Older Adults

Marios A Pappas,Eleftheria Demertzi,Lefteris Koukianakis,Athanasios Drigas,Yannis Papagerasimou,Nikitas Voukelatos

doi:10.3390/socsci8010006

Marios A Pappas, Eleftheria Demertzi + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci8010006

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Abstract

Aging is highly correlated with a decline in cognitive abilities. Information and communication technologies are nowadays increasingly used for knowledge acquisition, education, cognitive development, etc. Older adults should be prepared to adopt these technologies and take advantage of their capabilities. The purpose of this study was to analyze the cognitive profile of older adults in order to identify the ways that they learn, as well as to analyze older adults’ attitudes, to aid in the development of an e-learning platform adapted to their needs. The sample of the study consisted of 103 older adults, aged 55+, from Greece. According to their responses, older adults seemed to prefer e-learning modules that presented the educational content step-by-step and contained practice questions and examples. In addition, respondents had positive attitudes toward the existence of assessment tests for after the completion of each module. Finally, the utilization of explanatory videos and special graphics in the modules was imperative, according to older adults’ preferences.

Highlights

The improvement of the quality of life of older adults in an aging society is one of the main priorities of researchers in recent years
The purpose of this study was to investigate the learning profile of older adults in order to design a cognitive-based e-learning platform adapted to their needs
This study aims to analyze the way that older adults learn, their familiarization with Information and communication technologies (ICTs), and their attitudes toward the different learning modules presented to them

Summary

Introduction

The improvement of the quality of life of older adults in an aging society is one of the main priorities of researchers in recent years. Aging is highly correlated with psychological changes and especially with a decline in various cognitive procedures (Baudouin et al 2009). There is evidence that after the fourth decade of a person’s life, cognitive skills stop improving and gradually decline (Clark et al 2006). It has been reported that more than 50% of individuals aged 60 and over are in danger of cognitive decline. The limited amount of education for older adults is considered a risk factor for dementia (Ball et al 2002). Education during late adulthood could provide protection against dementia (Ardila et al 2000). Adults show high levels of anxiety as they get older, as they are afraid of the possible consequences of aging (Hertzog et al 2008)

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