The power of interest and curiosity
One major motivation for learning is the desire to pursue interests, and simply to increase knowledge, often described as “learning for own sake”. This may be part of a long term interest, a personal learning project which may run over a number of years, or an exploratory venture into a new field.
People usually experience declines in cognitive abilities that are important for maintaining functional independence, such as learning new skills, as they age. Researchers have examined the role of motivation in maintaining the cognitive functions in older age. It seems that older people are able to perform at a high level in specific tasks, if they are motivated. They are able to separate and prioritize the important information for them, when they have the right motivation. Motivation is crucial for the cognitive functions.
Curiosity and interest are powerful forces in learning and motivation that lead seniors to learn more effectively. Curiosity has been described as an intrinsic motivation, a motivation to seek and learn new information and knowledge, understand new things and know how they work. It is a strong predictor of academic achievement, even stronger than intelligence. Curiosity is an important ingredient of the learning process at every age. Its possession awakens interest, motivation and a feeling of being alive. When someone is curious about a subject, he is much more likely to remember information he learned about that subject. For trainers is important to know how to ignite learner curiosity, in order to improve learning outcomes. Curiosity generally declines with age. However, it plays an important role in maintaining cognitive functions, mental health and physical health in older adults.
Interest is also an important and powerful motivation that is essential for learning process. Interest can help learners think more clearly, understand more deeply, and remember more accurately. The necessity of interest in learning process does not only mean that someone has an interest in learning about a specific topic. It also means that when someone has an interest in something it becomes easy and even enjoyable to learn about that topic.
How to keep the interest of senior?
How should you teach seniors technology so as to keep their interest? Here are some useful tips:
- When you introduce new topics, build on existing knowledge
It will be very helpful for the senior if he is able to compare a new technology concept with something he is already familiar with. As each learner, seniors will understand better the concept through the compare and how it is working.
- Explain the relevance before going into detail
Before starting the presentation of a new technology concept to a senior, remember that you have to explain why he has to learn it. Only if he knows the benefits that it will offers to him, he will accept to try and be patient to learn how to use it.
- Avoid technical words and use language friendly to them
You have to be very careful with the language that you use. Do not forget that all the technological terms, even those which are often used, are unknown to people of older age. Even the word “mouse” for them is known only as an animal and not as a part of their computer. If it is necessary, use as simple as it is possible terminology and always explain and describe what it is.
- Watch your pace
When you are teaching technology to a senior, it is possible to move too quickly. Be careful and watch your pace. Make pauses and give the learners the time required to understand what they learnt. If you are not sure if you are moving too quickly or not, you can ask for feedback from the learners.
- Repeat key concepts
Repetition is the key in teaching technologies to seniors. Everything that you teach them is unknown for them and difficult to understand. Repeating the key concepts you make sure that you facilitate the learning process and make them easier to remember.
- Let them to ask questions regularly
As you introduce something unfamiliar to seniors, it is certain that they will have many questions to ask. It is possible however some seniors be reticent to interject with a question. Dedicate time for letting them to ask their questions. If seniors know that they have a specific moment to ask, it is possible to feel more comfortable. Repeat this process every time that you are teaching a new technology concept.
- Let the senior actively practice the new tech skills
Seniors need to take an active role as they learn new technology. Let him practice his new skills without helping. You only provide instructions. If you take matters into your hands, you will not have the desired learning results.
- Direct them to senior specific tech resources
Encourage your learners to use tech resources that they are available. Make sure that they are aware of how to access them and encourage them to use them as they provide many free tech tutorials designed specifically for seniors.
- Validate expressions of confusion but reinforce that they can and will learn
Due to their life experience, seniors used to feel more knowledgeable to their daily efforts. It may have been years since they learnt something new. So, it is possible to express frustration when they face difficulties. You have to support them constantly and explain that it is always difficult to learn something new, especially technology. Encourage them not to give up as they will soon have the desired results. It may be helpful to share your experiences when you learnt technology.
- Seek out enthusiastic moments
As we use technology daily, we forget how amazing things offers. Make sure that you create enthusiastic moments for seniors, showing them how amazing things technology can provide. The more they see the things technology enables them to do, the more they will try and want to learn more.
