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ERIC Number: ED063531
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1972-May
Pages: 21
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Aging and Learning.
Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens, Chicago, IL.
The process of learning with respect to age is discussed. Learning may be defined as the acquisition of information or skills. Three non-cognitive factors varying with age are loss of speed, health, and motivation. Studies on learning in relation to age have not controlled for non-learning factors. Perceptual and psychomotor studies are not consistent in indicating whether learning rates vary with age. There are clear performance differences which are independent of learning ability. Other research has compared age groups with respect to the relation between immediate and old recall and have found that immediate recall falls off more rapidly than does old recall with age. The available research suggests that both learning and non-cognitive deficits occur with age. Three problems face the educators of older people. These are (1) What do they want to do? (2) What can be done to motivate them? and (3) What principles can be carried out in educating the aged. Seven principles have been developed. These include: (1) Work through existing senior citizen centers and groups to satisfy the needs of the elderly as they see them; (2) Establish a curriculum that recognizes the need for immediate rewards and useful courses; (3) Utilize instructors who are knowledgeable in the field of aging; (4) Provide courses at minimal cost; (5) Offer courses in safe, convenient location; (6) Avoid formal arrangements; and (7) Insure that participants understand that their success depends upon their commitment. (Author/CK)
Publication Type: N/A
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: N/A
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens, Chicago, IL.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A