scholarly journals Perceived benefits from non-formal digital training sessions in later life: views of older adult learners, peer tutors, and teachers

Author(s):  
Kaisa Pihlainen ◽  
Kristiina Korjonen-Kuusipuro ◽  
Eija Kärnä
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-200
Author(s):  
Agata Słowik-Krogulec

Aim: The aim of the research is to present which elements related to teaching English to older adult learners have the greatest influence on creating a propitious and friendly learning environment. In order to achieve this firstly, I wish to present older adults’ observations regarding problems encountered in the classroom environment related to the lack of teaching materials, mixed age and ability groups or being discriminated against by fellow students and teachers. Secondly, I would like to propose some solutions to improve the efficiency of both students and teachers in the classroom environment. Methods: The subjects of the study were 40 older adult learners of English who attended the classes at the University of the Third Age in Wrocław. In the study the participants were asked to choose the answers which, according to them, have the greatest influence on their learning the foreign language in later life. The participants also wrote additional comments that explained their choices. The analysis was qualitative in nature. Results: The analysis shows that teachers (n=35) and teaching materials (n=31) are considered to be the two most important factors in learning a language in later life. The third most vital factor in creating a good classroom environment is related to other students (n=17). The subjects’ comments, however, point to numerous problems encountered in the aforementioned areas that affect the process of foreign language learning in later life. Conclusions: Older adult learners’ needs, abilities and learning preferences should be taken into account while designing language courses as, according to the subjects of the study, at present it is not the case. Moreover, there should be more awareness on behalf of the teachers as to the age-related changes that make certain tasks difficult and the learning environment unnecessarily hostile.


2013 ◽  
pp. 1606-1621
Author(s):  
Lesley Farmer

This chapter examines technological factors that influence the conditions and processes of adult learning, and how adult educators can deal with those changes effectively. Technology can reinforce and enhance adult learning, providing a learning environment with tools and resources that the learner can explore and control, thus fostering more independent, adult-centered learning. Adult learning changes because of the need to learn how to use technology tools, the opportunity for expanded access to resources, the variations in designing and experiencing learning experiences, and the expanded opportunities to engage with these resources and with other learners. Several issues contextualize the realities and challenges of adult learning as impacted by technology: workplace learning and learning organizations, informal learning, distance education, globalization, the Digital Divide, and older adult learners. Emerging trends are also mentioned.


Author(s):  
Sergio Castañeda

This paper explores strategies used by teach- ers of English in Spain to compensate for learning limitations  associated with student age. As part of a qualitative study of multiple cases, twenty teachers from different voca- tional programs volunteered to participate in semi-structured interviews. The interviews revealed the difficulties that older Spanish adult students experience in learning Eng- lish in age-diverse classrooms. The findings specifically indicate that older adult learners face numerous obstacles in oral compre- hension and language production because of the translation and grammatical method- ologies with which they were educated. A further obstacle is their younger classmates’ linguistic superiority. Special attention  is paid to the methodologies used by teachers of age-diverse groups, including material speci- ficity, real-life practice, repetition and system- atization, skill-oriented tasks, and collabora- tive or cooperative learning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S405-S405
Author(s):  
Kate Kondolf ◽  
Joyce Duckles ◽  
sandhya Seshadri ◽  
Phyllis Jackson ◽  
Craig Sellers ◽  
...  

Abstract We discuss the evaluation of the Engaging Older Adult Learners as Health Researchers (ENGOAL), a program designed to educate older adults from underserved and underresourced communities about geriatric health and research methods, enabling them to become Research Partners. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected for evaluation from 21 participants aged 53-79. We used All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale (AAHLS, King’s College, London) and an adaptation of Stanford Patient Education Research Center Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scale to assess pre-post and follow-up changes, using repeated measures analyses. Results suggest notable increases in self-efficacy, but only small improvements in subjective health literacy. Themes identified through qualitative analysis of interviews with participants included: (1) Finding our Voices (2) Race and Health (3) Faith and Health (4) Communicating with Providers and (5) Sharing and Advocacy. Emerging community leadership of participants are further evidence of confidence gains in our participants.


1999 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Cody ◽  
Deborah Dunn ◽  
Shari Hoppin ◽  
Pamela Wendt

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 387-387
Author(s):  
Sara Conwell ◽  
Amy Danzo ◽  
Allyson Graf ◽  
Suk-Hee Kim ◽  
Katherina Terhune

Abstract The pandemic has revealed a multitude of challenges disproportionately impacting older adults, including older adult learners. Institutions of higher education are uniquely positioned to respond to various challenges using the guiding framework of the Age-Friendly University global initiative. This presentation highlights how preexisting university student support practices and services were adapted to provide older adult learners with guidance for navigating their educational needs during the pandemic. Specifically, it expands on strategies utilized by Adult Learner Programs and Services to effectively pivot to virtual services to support the advising and programming needs of older adult learners. Survey data identifying areas of interest for virtual programming for older adult students will be explored. Recommendations will be discussed for promoting effective transitioning to virtual support systems, preserving student engagement and intergenerational learning, and advocating for aging to remain central to university diversity and inclusion initiatives.


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