The Effect of Blended Learning on e-Socialization of Older Adults

Blended instruction, a combination of classroom and online instruction, is becoming increasingly popular today. Blended learning is beneficial, as it provides the flexibility of online learning with the social aspects of the classroom. For this blended learning study, two groups of older adults participated in social networking and computer skills training, either in a blended learning environment or in a traditional classroom. For evaluation purposes, the effectiveness and satisfaction ratings of classroom versus blended instruction were assessed by weekly quizzes and pre- and post- course questionnaires. The results of this mixed methods study indicated that students' computer skills significantly increased after the training, and the increase was somewhat greater for the blended group than the classroom group. Participants also rated they were satisfied with the computer courses, regardless of instructional type. The results of this study can contribute to the literature as there is minimal research on older adults' effectiveness and satisfaction ratings on blended versus classroom instruction for computer skills training.