Intellectual Development and Aging of Adults in Educational Technology

We live in an era facing a strong societal demand for lifelong learning as well as actually having more abundant access to learning opportunities than ever before because of ubiquitous emerging technologies. An adult life span contains many life expectations demanding adjustment and growth in each stage. To support adult learners, it is important to understand the diversity of development needs and provide learning opportunities to help them achieve the necessary development at various stages. The purpose of this literature review is to address the question of how educational technology has served the needs of adult learning from the perspective of intellectual development and aging. Informed by the discussions about intellectual development in adulthood and aging, the major findings of this literature review address these four areas: (1) the current development of online learning addressing adult learners’ characteristics, (2) factors influencing adults’ adoptions of new technologies, (3) external agents supporting older adults’ learning, and (4) technologies selected to connect older adults with society and communities. Although our effort thus far has generated useful knowledge and insight to support adult learning, such an endeavor has been limited to understanding the needs and challenges of adult learners and effectively supporting their learning and intellectual development. Recommendations for future research and practice regarding (1) learning environment design, learning technologies, and learning experiences, (2) research methods, and (3) older adult learners conclude the chapter.