Age Differences in Learning from Instructional Animations
Category
Journal Article
Authors
Boucheix, J.M., Lowe, R.K., Bugaiska, A.
Year
2015
Title
Age Differences in Learning from Instructional Animations
Journal / book / conference
Applied Cognitive Psychology
Abstract
The present study tests the effects of the decline of executive functions and spatial abilities with aging on the comprehension of a complex instructional animation. An animation of a piano mechanism was presented individually to 64 participants, 33 young adults and 31 elderly. Two presentation speeds of the animation (normal and slow) were compared in a 2x2 experimental design. Eye movements were recorded during the learning time. Then, four executive functions tests (inhibition, shifting, information updating, and processing speed) and a spatial ability test (DAT) were undertaken by each participant. Results showed the comprehension of animations is significantly affected by aging. Although significant differences between young and old groups were found for executive functions and spatial abilities, regressions on comprehension scores showed only a strong significant effect of spatial ability. Like in most previous research, presentation speed had no effect, but in this study, on-line eye movement data showed this result was due to application of a compensation strategy.
Issue
29
Volume
DOI: 10.10
Pages
524-535