A method for building massive open online courses for elderly people MOOCEP: From the user perceptions

This Research Full Paper presents the user perceptions when elderly people use a MOOC which was built by using the method for building massive open online courses for elderly people (MOOCEP). Context: Currently, the elderly population has increased in respect to the total population. According to Administration on Aging (AoA) for the year 2060, the elderly population will be double than presented in the results of the last census. Likewise, a reduced proportion of the population of elderly people is involved with technology or have a very close relation with it. However, the universal access to technology is important in the field of education and interactive systems due to the need of promoting the equality of opportunities for all. Moreover, it is considered that the effectiveness of e-Learning consists in knowing about the learning objectives of users and their needs. As a result of that, it is important to know the perceptions when users adopt any technology. The creation of a method for building massive open online courses (MOOCs) for elderly people named MOOCEP considers andragogical strategies to improve learning objects. This methodology has five tasks aligned to ADDIE method (i.e., Analysis, Design, Development, Deployment, and Evaluation). It presents a flexible and extensible solution, adaptable to any specific situation, to design and create effective MOOCs, which takes into consideration, that the e-learning process can vary considerably in complexity and size, depending on interest and needs of its target of people. Objective: In FIE 2017, it was presented the analysis task, which is related to the learning techniques and involves different considerations (i.e., andragogy, accessibility). For this year's FIE, in order to provide evidence on the use of MOOCs built by using MOOCEP, a group of 36 subjects aged from 65 to 85 years old had participated and provided their perceptions and suggestions by means of a questionnaire that allow us to understand the acceptance of the artifacts created by using this method. The user perceptions that have been measured are related to the ease of use, usefulness and the intention to use in the future. Method: In order to perform these tests, the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM) has been employed. Results: The results have been favorable, and they provide insights that the method for building these artifacts allow the creation of easy to use and useful products, which can be considered as good technological elements to be employed for the education of elderly people. Conclusions: The results are positive and concludes that MOOCEP allows the creation of appropriate MOOCs from the elderly people perceptions.