Researchers warn: Lecture-based courses don’t work for older adults

"Learning later in life isn’t just possible, it is important for good quality of life. It can boost memory, emotional well-being, and even a sense of purpose. A new study shows that older adults learn best when they’re taught the same way that is best for younger people, with active participation, meaningful discussions, and material that feels relevant to their lives. The findings emphasize that the common method of lecture-based learning does not fit older adults’ characteristics because it requires good memory and often feels irrelevant. This new research builds on an earlier study, led by the same team, which found that older women actually learned better as they got older. Based on interviews with nineteen women in the “third age”, that study showed that, in contrast to common stereotypes, they felt they were learning better than at any earlier time in their lives, and it also explained what made this later-life learning especially effective. Primarily, they reported better understanding, because they can connect new knowledge to previous knowledge and experiences. The results challenged common assumptions about aging and showed that the right learning conditions can help older adults thrive."