Usability Testing of BusinessThinkingTM e-Learning CD-ROMs with Older Adults

BusinessThinkingTM is a computer-based e-learning package designed to teach technology skills and business information to adults, ages 50–69, who remain in the workforce. This article outlines results from usability testing for the material on using technology applications (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and the Internet), and career development (career management and preretirement planning. In Study 1, a usability test was conducted to ensure that the material was user-friendly. In Studies 2 and 3, the PowerPoint and career development materials were redesigned according to the findings from Study 1. Results indicated that the redesign was effective in increasing navigation of the material.

[1]  W. C. Shipley.  Shipley Institute of Living Scale , 1983 .

[2]  Ben Shneiderman,et al.  Research-Based Web Design & Usability Guidelines [2006 edition] , 2006 .

[3]  Theo Mandel,et al.  The Elements of User Interface Design , 1997 .

[4]  B. Goldberg.  Age Works: What Corporate America Must Do to Survive the Graying of the Workforce , 2000 .

[5]  R. Morrell.  Designing Web-Based Health Information for Older Adults: Visual Considerations and Design Directives , 2001 .

[6]  A. Dohm,et al.  Gauging the Labor Force Effects of Retiring Baby-Boomers , 2000 .

[7]  Caroline M. Eastman,et al.  DESIGNING USER INTERFACES FOR OLDER ADULTS , 1997 .

[8]  Dana J. Plude,et al.  COMPACT DISC‐INTERACTIVE MEMORY TRAINING WITH THE ELDERLY , 1996 .

[9]  Jeffrey Rubin,et al.  Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design, and Conduct Effective Tests , 1994 .

[10]  David J. Rosen.  Using Electronic Technology in Adult Literacy Education. , 1999 .

[11]  George W. Rebok,et al.  Effectiveness of CD-ROM Memory Training as a Function of Within-Session Autonomy , 2004 .

[12]  S. Czaja,et al.  Age differences in the performance of computer-based work. , 1993, Psychology and aging.

[13]  E Leventhal,et al.  Medication Adherence in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Older Is Wiser , 1999, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

[14]  S. Folstein,et al.  "Mini-mental state". A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. , 1975, Journal of psychiatric research.

[15]  M. Stolz-Loike,et al.  Can e-learning be used as an effective training method for people over age 50? A pilot study , 2005 .