ABSTRACT
Design of Training and Instructional Programs In today’s technology-driven world, people of all ages, including older adults, constantly need to learn to operate new products and perform new tasks at work (e.g., software applications, job procedures); at home (e.g., medical devices, communication products); and in service environments (e.g., automatic teller machines, self-service ticket kiosks at airports). When confronted with the need to learn something new, most people rely on some form of training or instruction. This may occur formally through attendance at a training program or use of online software or an instruction manual, or informally with help from a colleague, family member, or friend. In all cases, the goal of these activities is to engage in “meaningful learning” so that the learned material can be applied at a later point in time or transferred to a new situation.
