USING COMPUTERS TO IMPROVE FUNCTIONAL LITERACY AND HEALTH KNOWLEDGE IN OLDER ADULTS

摘要

The purpose of this study was to design and implement a computer-basedinstruction system to improve the functional literacy skills of undereducated older adults.Other goals were to increase their health knowledge and to foster a positive attitudetoward computer technology. Three instructional modules were developed on the topicsof high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis. Each of these modules included four submodulesto convey information on the symptoms, testing, treatment and nutritionassociated with each of the above topics. Special considerations were made for computerbased instruction for the elderly, employing training strategies (e.g. modeling) and humanfactors principles (e.g. choice of input device). Twenty-one undereducated seniorcitizens participated in the study (mean age = 73.1). Results indicated that participationin the program led to learners’ increased liking of computers, a general increase in healthknowledge, and improved performance in a functional word task.