Instructional videos for seniors over 75: The effects of addressing potential errors in user instructions

Using a laptop or tablet computer can be challenging for senior users, but using these devices can facilitate communication with family and care-givers. The goal of the current study is to get more insight in how to instruct and train senior users to use the keyboard of a tablet computer that is specifically designed for seniors (Compaan). Research has suggested that addressing errors and showing how to correct these errors can have positive effects on the learning process. Two series of video instructions were developed. In the first series, it was explained how to use the tablet computer without addressing potential errors. In the second series, potential errors were addressed. Forty seniors (75-97 years of age) participated in this study. The participants were asked to familiarize themselves with the Compaan, with the help of one of the series of instructional videos. Their learning progress, task effectiveness, and their self-efficacy and satisfaction levels were measured. The results showed that most participants were interested and motivated to learn to use the tablet computer. Participants who watched the videos in which potential errors were addressed performed somewhat better than the other group.