Computer-based training for safety: Comparing methods with older and younger workers

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2006.08.003Get rights and content

Abstract

Introduction

Computer-based safety training is becoming more common and is being delivered to an increasingly aging workforce. Aging results in a number of changes that make it more difficult to learn from certain types of computer-based training. Instructional designs derived from cognitive learning theories may overcome some of these difficulties.

Methods

Three versions of computer-based respiratory safety training were shown to older and younger workers who then took a high and a low level learning test.

Results

Younger workers did better overall. Both older and younger workers did best with the version containing text with pictures and audio narration.

Discussion

Computer-based training with pictures and audio narration may be beneficial for workers over 45 years of age.

Impact on Industry

Computer-based safety training has advantages but workers of different ages may benefit differently. Computer-based safety programs should be designed and selected based on their ability to effectively train older as well as younger learners.

Section snippets

Occupational respiratory illnesses

Occupational respiratory illnesses are a significant problem. Workplace asthma may affect from 400,000 to 3 million workers in the United States (Merchant, 1990) and 15% of chronic obstructive lung diseases may be work-related (Balmes et al., 2003). Among the pneumoconioses, silicosis remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity with prevalence estimates at 30,000–100,000 current cases (Christiani & Wegman, 2000). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has

Method

Fifty factory workers at a medium sized (approximately 350 workers) electronics manufacturing plant in a large Southwestern U.S. city participated in the study. They were volunteers and were paid $50 for their participation. Participants completed a demographic survey that asked their age, preferred language for learning (English, Spanish, Navajo, or other), highest grade completed in school, job title, whether they had a home computer, and how often they used a computer at work. Participants

Results

The 50 participants ranged in age from 26–64 with a mean age of 43 (SD = 10.24). The participants' years of school ranged from 8–14 (mean = 11.8, SD = .97). Participants were divided into the older or younger groups by dividing the participants around the median age of 44 with those 44 or older being placed into the older group (27 workers) and those younger than 44 being put into younger group (23 workers). The number of younger workers in the 3 treatment groups was: 6 in TXT (mean age of 37), 9 in

Computer-based training presentations

Effective computer-based training for older workers may depend, in part, on presenting information in ways that reduce the effects of some of the changes that occur with age. Although more research on the effects of aging and training is needed, the results of this study suggest, for all age groups, that simple design measures such as offering narration with text and avoiding screen designs that force learners to attend to more than one source of information at once (e.g., reading a text while

Summary

Three versions of computer-based respiratory safety training (text, text with pictures, text with pictures and audio narration) were shown to older and younger workers who then took a high and a low level learning test.

Younger workers did better overall. Both older and younger workers did best with the version containing text with pictures and audio narration. Computer-based training with pictures and audio narration may be beneficial for workers over 45 years of age.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Orrin Myers. This work was supported by a grant from the University of New Mexico Research Allocation Committee (C-2218-T) and supported in part by Tobacco Settlement funds of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

Eric Wallen is an Instructional Systems Specialist working for the national office of the VA's Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Service in Seattle Washington. He has a PhD in Organizational Learning and Instructional Technologies from the University of New Mexico. His research interests include developing methods for using multimedia for adult instruction and training.

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    Eric Wallen is an Instructional Systems Specialist working for the national office of the VA's Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Service in Seattle Washington. He has a PhD in Organizational Learning and Instructional Technologies from the University of New Mexico. His research interests include developing methods for using multimedia for adult instruction and training.

    Karen B. Mulloy, DO, MSCH graduated from the WV School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a residency in Family Medicine and an MS in Community Health at Marshall University and a residency in Occupational Medicine at the University of Kentucky. She is board certified in occupational medicine and family medicine. Dr. Mulloy is an Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Dr. Mulloy is the Co-Director of the Program in Occupational and Environmental Health where she conducts research on occupational health and safety training for workers and surveillance of occupational injury and illness in the state of New Mexico.

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