library instruction for older adults

Library Instruction for Older Adults

Kristen Becker & Jason ColemanTRICON 2005

March 31st, 2005

Photo by Dennis Mojado http://photography.mojado.com/archives/2004/07/06/backyard_dandelion.php

Photo from: Microsoft Office Clipart and Media:http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?lc=en-us

Photo from: The Big Box of Art by Hemera Technologies

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 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


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.


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


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.


Information needs of seniors Health Legal information Crafts Travel and maps Products Weather News Sports Genealogy

How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers

Lessons from Liberal Memorial Library

How To Teach Seniors to Use Computers: Lessons Learned

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


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


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


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


Characteristics of seniors Physical and cognitive aging They are less familiar with technology

They may be apprehensive. They may not know basic terminology.


How many meanings do these terms have?

• Click• Scroll• Back• Link• url• Menu bar• Toolbar• IM• Minimize• Login• Home• Shortcut• Browser• Window• File• Icon


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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


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

library instruction for older adults

Documents

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computer classesthe

asked questionsthe need

age group

sense of selfefficacy

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dennis mojado http

library instruction