3.0 Advantages of Learning in Older Age

In the past, senior learners have often been viewed in terms of deficits: their hearing or sight might not be as good as in their youth. Information may not be recalled as easily, and mobility might be restricted. Old age was often equated with the loss of abilities.

Nowadays, senior learners are viewed in terms of competencies rather than deficits. This means that each person’s ageing process is very individual and while some abilities may be reduced, others are increased. While the speed of information uptake and its processing may have declined together with hearing and sight, the actual learning capacity has not declined. Some of the lost abilities may also be compensated by others such as world knowledge and experience, problem solving skills, very focused learning, as well as increased accuracy.

Complete activities 3.1 and 3.2 to find out more.