ABSTRACT
New computerized techniques can be mastered more easily by older workers if the teaching methods used are appropriate for this population and if the necessary measures are taken in the area of work organization within the company. The first part of the paper discusses the results of a recent survey which pointed out some of the difficulties older employees encounter when faced with computerized work situations. The second part analyses how some of these difficulties may be manifested in a real-life training situation where new computer techniques are being learned. Based on a method derived from signal detection theory (SDT), this study revealed that less knowledge was acquired by older trainees (aged 36 to 52) learning a word-processing program (Word, version 5) than by younger trainees (aged 20 to 35). Old trainees had also stricter decision criteria: they appear more conservative in their responses and more reluctant than younger individuals to commit to a response when they are not completely sure. Future research should be conducted to validate the hypothesis set forth concerning the significance of this attitude, its origin and its consequences on learning.
