eLearning Design for Older Adults
This research examines how to optimize the design of asynchronous elearning courses and platforms to align with the strengths, needs, and preferences of older adult learners aged 55 and over. Grounded in theories of andragogy and constructive alignment, the study explores evidence-based principles to make online education more accessible, engaging, and empowering for mature learners across the cognitive lifespan.
Grounding Research References
Abdullateef, S. T. (2022). COVID-19: Pedagogical shift, and the rise of divergent approaches. The Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 18(1), 836.
Bernacki, M. L., Greene, M. J., & Lobczowski, N. G. (2021). A systematic review of research on personalized learning: Personalized by whom, to what, how, and for what purpose(s)? Educational Psychology Review, 33(4), 1675-1715. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-021-09615-8
Boot, W., Charness, N., Czaja, S. J., & Rogers, W. A. (2020). Designing for older adults: Case studies, methods, and tools. CRC Press.
Caskurlu, S., Maeda, Y., Richardson, J. C., & Lv, J. (2020). A meta-analysis addressing the relationship between teaching presence and students’ satisfaction and learning. Computers and Education, 157, 103966. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103966
Chaipidech, P., Srisawasdi, N., Kajornmanee, T., & Chaipah, K. (2022). A personalized learning system-supported professional training model for teachers’ TPACK development. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 3, Article 100064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2022.100064
Charters, M., & Murphy, C. (2021). Taking art school online in response to COVID 19: From rapid response to realising potential. The International Journal of Art & Design Education, 40(4), 723-735. https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12384
DeAngelis, T. (2021). Optimizing tech for older adults. American Psychology Association, 52(5), 54. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/07/tech-older-adults
Duncan, A., & Joyner, D. (2022). On the necessity (or lack thereof) of digital proctoring: Drawbacks, perceptions, and alternatives. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 38(5), 1482-1496. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12700
Fang, M. L., Canham, S. L., Battersby, L., Sixsmith, J., Wada, M., & Sixsmith, A. (2019). Exploring Privilege in the Digital Divide: Implications for Theory, Policy, and Practice. The Gerontologist, 59(1), e1–e15. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gny037
Eynon, R., & Malmberg, L. (2021). Lifelong learning and the internet: Who benefits most from learning online? British Journal of Educational Technology, 52(2), 569-583. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13041
Ferguson, L., Sain, D., Kürüm, E., Strickland-Hughes, C. M., Rebok, G. W., & Wu, R. (2023). One-year cognitive outcomes from a multiple real-world skill learning intervention with older adults. Aging & Mental Health, 27(11), 2134-2143. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2023.2197847
Gerdes, E. P. (2022). Make lifelong learning real: In serving older adults, higher ed institutions benefit, too. Liberal Education, 108(1), 4.
Kim, H., Freddolino, P. P., & Greenhow, C. (2023). Older adults' technology anxiety as a barrier to digital inclusion: A scoping review. Educational Gerontology, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2023.2202080
Li, R., Geng, J., Yang, R., Ge, Y., & Hesketh, T. (2022). Effectiveness of computerized cognitive training in delaying cognitive function decline in people with mild cognitive impairment: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(10), e38624-e38624. https://doi.org/10.2196/38624
Li, Y., Ghazilla, R. A. R., & Abdul-Rashid, S. H. (2022). QFD-based research on sustainable user experience optimization design of smart home products for the elderly: A case study of smart refrigerators. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), 13742. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113742
Lu, J., Xiong, J., Tang, S., Bishwajit, G., & Guo, S. (2023). Social support and psychosocial well-being among older adults in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study. BMJ open, 13(7), e071533. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071533
Lu, Y., Hong, X., & Xiao, L. (2022). Toward high-quality adult online learning: A systematic review of empirical studies. Sustainability (Basel, Switzerland), 14(4), 2257. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042257
Knowles, M. S. (1984). Theory of andragogy.
Mace, R. A., Mattos, M. K., & Vranceanu, A. (2022). Older adults can use technology: Why healthcare professionals must overcome ageism in digital health. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 12(12), 1102-1105. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibac070
Mannheim, I., Wouters, E. J. M., van Boekel, L. C., & van Zaalen, Y. (2021). Attitudes of health care professionals toward older adults' abilities to use digital technology: Questionnaire study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(4), e26232-e26232. https://doi.org/10.2196/26232
Martin, F., Chen, Y., Moore, R. L., & Westine, C. D. (2020). Systematic review of adaptive learning research designs, context, strategies, and technologies from 2009 to 2018. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68(4), 1903-1929. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-020-09793-2
Papi-Galvez, N., & La Parra-Casado, D. (2023). Age-based digital divide: Uses of the internet in people over 54 years old. Media and Communication (Lisboa), 11(3), 77-87. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v11i3.6744
Pappas, M. A., Demertzi, E., Papagerasimou, Y., Koukianakis, L., Voukelatos, N., & Drigas, A. (2019). Cognitive-based E-learning design for older adults. Social Sciences (Basel), 8(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci8010006
Perrin, A., & Atske, S. (2021). 7% of Americans Don’t Use the Internet. Who are they?. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/04/02/7-of-americans-dont-use-the-internet-who-are-they/
Pew Research Center, April 2014, “Older Adults and Technology Use” Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/04/03/older-adults-and-technology-use/
Ramirez, A., & Inga, E. (2022). Educational innovation in adult learning considering digital transformation for social inclusion. Education Sciences, 12(12), 882. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12120882
Ryu, S. (2020). The role of mixed methods in conducting design-based research. Educational Psychologist, 55(4), 232-243. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2020.1794871
Seale, J. (2020). Accessibility frameworks and Models: Exploring the Potential for a Paradigm shift. Improving accessible digital practices in higher education (pp. 45-72). Springer International Publishing AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37125-8_3
Seale, J. (2020). New designs or new practices? multiple perspectives on the ICT and Accessibility conundrum. Improving accessible digital practices in higher education (pp. 99-115). Springer International Publishing AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37125-8_5
Sharifi, H., & Chattopadhyay, D. (2023). Senior technology learning preferences model for mobile technology. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 7(MHCI), 1-39. https://doi.org/10.1145/3604269
Ślósarz L, Błaszczyński K, Švecová M and Kobylarek A (2022) Adult education needs inventory: Construction and application. Front. Psychol. 13:1035283. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1035283
Stanney, K.M., Skinner A., & Hughes C. (2023) Exercisable Learning-Theory and Evidence-Based Andragogy for Training Effectiveness using XR (ELEVATE-XR): Elevating the ROI of Immersive Technologies, International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 39:11, 2177-2198, DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2023.2188529
Vogels, E. A. (2021). Some digital divides persist between rural, urban and suburban America. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/08/19/some-digital-divides-persist-between-rural-urban-and-suburban-america/
World Health Organization. (2022). Ageing and health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
