Teaching older adults to use computers: Recommendations based on cognitive aging research

Recent cognitive aging research provides a framework for the cognitive changes that occur in older adults. This research is useful to instructors who teach older adults to use computers because it provides theories that help to identify older adults' special instructional needs. Specifically, teachers need to design, their instruction to compensate for older adults' cognitive slowing, limited processing resources, lack of inhibition, and sensory deficits. This article reviews current theories of cognitive aging and derives implications for teaching older adults to use computers. Recommendations are provided to assist teachers in designing and implementing courses intended to teach older adults to use common computer software applications.