Instrucción Explícita: Bases de Computación

En un mundo cada vez más digital, los adultos que tienen dificultades para usar la tecnología pueden beneficiarse de la instrucción directa para una variedad de herramientas digitales. Este tipo de instrucción, que apoya la Alfabetización Digital, incluye la comprensión de las funciones básicas del hardware de los computadores (trackpads, monitores y componentes USB) y la navegación de funciones digitales básicas (configurar cuentas de correo electrónico, usar motores de búsqueda, iniciar archivos). Los adultos a quienes se les enseña de manera explícita sobre cómo usar la tecnología digital a menudo muestran mejoras en las habilidades de Composición y Alfabetización Disciplinaria, específicamente cuando usan la tecnología para propósitos de salud. La instrucción directa uno a uno adaptada al aprendiz es la más efectiva.

Campbell, R. J., & Wabby, J. (2003). The elderly and the Internet: A case studyThe Internet Journal of Health3(1), 1-9.

Chaffin, A. J., & Harlow, S. D. (2005). Cognitive learning applied to older adult learners and technologyEducational Gerontology31(4), 301-329.

Delello, J. A., & McWhorter, R. R. (2017). Reducing the digital divide: Connecting older adults to iPad technologyJournal of Applied Gerontology36(1), 3-28.

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Laganà, L. (2008). Enhancing the attitudes and self-efficacy of older adults toward computers and the internet: Results of a pilot studyEducational Gerontology34(9), 831-843.

McNaughton, D., Hughes, C., & Clark, K. (1997). The effect of five proofreading conditions on the spelling performance of college students with learning disabilitiesJournal of Learning Disabilities, 30, 643–651.

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Sandhu, J., Damodaran, L., & Ramondt, L. (2013). ICT skills acquisition by older people: Motivations for learning and barriers to progressionInternational Journal of Education and Ageing3(1), 25-42.

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McNaughton, Hughes, and Clark (1997) found that, overall, spelling accuracy improved, but not enough to enable the students with LD to reduce spelling errors to a level equal to that of their non-LD peers. Only one of five conditions resulted in significant student performance gains in spelling. Specifically, students who were explicitly taught to use word processing with embedded spell-check statistically outperformed students who (a) wrote by hand with no additional support, (b) wrote by hand and used a print dictionary, (c) wrote by hand and used a handheld spell-checker, or (d) used word processing with no spell-checker. Thus, in terms of proofreading for spelling errors, students were more efficient in correcting spelling errors and preferred the word processing with spell-check condition over the other treatments.

Learning computer skills has been shown to have a positive impact on the life problem-solving of older adults, along with giving them increased control over life options. For example, The Pew Internet and American Life Project (2003) detailed the experiences of a woman caring for her ill husband at home. She used the Internet to research his medications and health concerns. She was a new user of the Internet, but forged ahead with learning how to use it. Her husband was in a special bed with a high rise alternating air pressure mattress. (This is DL not PS) (Chaffin et al., 2005).

“In support of the strength of the proposed intervention, experimental participants showed a significant difference in their attitudes toward the technology under study and in their computer self-efficacy following training.” Laganà, L. (2008).

“It is noteworthy that, although approximately 50% of the sample in this research owned a computer, a low 10% reported very limited computer experience. Their minimal experience was acquired either because they resided in homes where other individuals owned a computer and they witnessed its use, or they had purchased or were given computer equipment that they never used. This finding highlights the necessity to provide this type of training to older adults.” Laganà, L. (2008)

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