1. Learning How to Use Computers: The Role of Cognitive Abilities
Jason C. Allaire
Department of Psychology
North Carolina State University

2. Individual Factors that Influence Learning to Use Computers
Interest
Attitudes towards technology
Familiarity of computers
Knowing what computers can do
Understanding the breadth of information that is available on the web
COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING

3. What is Cognitive Functioning?
Mental processes and abilities that help us understand our surroundings and function in our environment
Cognitive abilities are used when solving problems
Cognitive abilities are used when we LEARN SOMETHING NEW

4. Cognition Across the Life Span
Knowledge Abilities
Fluid Abilities
Performance 25 70
Age

5. Not Everyone Ages the Same
Performance 50 70

6. Fluid Abilities--Memory
Working Memory – remembering new information and doing something with that information
Our working memory becomes less and less efficient as we get older
Less information can be kept in Working Memory

7. Example of Working Memory Learning How to Save
To save the word document that you are working on your mouse to “File” click the scroll down to “Save” and click on it. If you have not save the document before you will have to name it. A box will appear and you will be able to name it.

8. Lots of things to remember while having to do it
To save the word document that you are working on move your mouse to “File” click the scroll down to “Save” and click on it. If you have not saved the document before you will have to name it. A box will appear and you will be able to name it.

9. Fluid Abilities--Memory
Long-term Memory—retention of learned information over a long period of time (days, weeks)
Our ability to recall information that we recently learned decreases as we get older

10. Example Long-Term Memory
In Tuesday’s class you taught your students how to save a word document
The following week you teach your class the basics of EXCEL
You ask them to save their spreadsheet.
You assume they remember how to save?
You assume they realize that saving in EXCEL is the same as saving in WORD?

11. Fluid Abilities—Visual Search
Visual Search—the ability to find a specific target in a visually display
It is tougher for elders to find a target quickly or at all
Distracted by other images on the screen
They don’t search the visual field effectively
Might have poorer vision

12. Please click on “My Computer”

13. Please Start your “Paint” Program

14. The Good News Knowledge Abilities Fluid Abilities 25 70 Age
Performance 25 70
Age

15. Knowledge Abilities
Knowledge abilities—the information that we acquire through involvement in our culture
Knowledge includes:
Information we learned in school
Information about our jobs
Information about ourselves
Information about our interests
We don’t lose Knowledge as we age

16. Putting Knowledge to Work
We learn new information faster if it is related to things we already know
We can “hook” new information to old information
Older adults learn new information faster and retain it longer if it is related to something they already know

17. Compensation
Older adults are MASTERS at developing skills to compensate for certain declines
They know to go slower and try to process information more deeply
They tend to use preexisting knowledge to remember new information
When taught to use strategies to improve memory these use them better than young folks

18. Relevancy and Motivation
On tasks that older adults consider relevant to their lives they:
They are extremely motivated to learn new material
They often perform as well as younger adults
The goal then is to make sure older adults understand how computer use can be relevant in their lives

19. So What does the Research Say About All This?
Not very much
Studies have not specifically examined which cognitive abilities are associated with learning how to use computers

20. Potential Benefits
Tailor the training to decrease the impact of cognitive functioning on learning how to use computers

21. Potential Benefits
Individualized training protocols based on a specific profile of strengths and weaknesses

22. Potential Benefits
Improve cognitive functioning through practicing cognitively challenging computer tasks