Do self-monitoring interventions improve older adult learning?

Full Abstract

We describe a self-monitoring approach for improving older adult learning that older adults can use in conjunction with more traditional mnemonic-based interventions. According to the self-monitoring approach, older adults can improve the effectiveness of learning by accurately monitoring their progress toward a learning goal and by using the output from such monitoring to allocate study time and to inform strategy selection. We review current evidence, which includes outcomes from two previously unpublished interventions, relevant to the efficacy of this approach. Both interventions demonstrated performance gains in memory performance after self-monitoring training, although these training gains did not exceed gains obtained through standard mnemonic training. Our discussion highlights both successes and failures of self-monitoring to enhance learning as well as challenges for future research.

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Author information

Author/s: Dunlosky, John (J); Cavallini, Elena (E); Roth, Heather (H); McGuire, Christy L (CL); Vecchi, Tomaso (T); Hertzog, Christopher (C);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Kent State University, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242-0001, USA. jdunlosk@kent.edu

Grants: R37 AG13148 (Agency:United States NIA)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Review

Journal: The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences (J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jun; vol 62 Spec No 1 (issue ) : pp 70-6

Dates: Created 2007/06/13; Completed 2007/08/17; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 17565167, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged
Humans
Learning
Memory Disorders - prevention & control
Mental Recall

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