WANG, BEI YUN
National Taipei University
Email：beth@go.utaipei.edu.tw
LAI,AH FUR
University of Taipei Department of Computer Science Professor
LIN, ZIH JYUN
University of Taipei Department of Physical Education Student
Abstract
Faced with an aging society in Taiwan, the focus of this study is on how to use information technology to innovate learning activities, and integrate technology-based learning into life-oriented learning activities of the elderly to boost their physical and mental health.
Recent studies have pointed out that the expressive form of calligraphy has the ability to bring enlightenment and purification to the mind. The act of writing involves both the writer’s physical and cognitive skills. A whole process of the mind, body, and character intertwinement is formed during the dynamic writing process. Therefore, from the perspective of calligraphy therapy, writers can enjoy the effectiveness of psychotherapy regardless of age and occupation.
Taking into account the elderly’s particular physical functioning and psychological needs, this study designed a “calligraphy” learning activity that the elderly would enjoy, using the five-stage evolution of the ADDIE instructional design model and integrating information technology into learning. The instructor is a calligraphy teacher with over 20 years of experience, and is accompanied by teaching assistants of IT courses. Besides, teaching materials are presented to learners from a variety of angles using ICT in the form of real-time interactive online courses during the pandemic outbreak.
The study shows that the elders who participate in online learning tend to have a better grasp of font structure, since they can download and prepare the materials in advance before class, and also watch the video of the teacher demonstrating the brushwork in class repeatedly from multiple perspectives and master the way of brushwork. It is because of ICT integration that the elderly can see the demonstration video multiple times. Even though during the pandemic outbreak, teachers and students can’t meet in person, the educational environment can still be established via real-time interactive online classes. Both sides of the classroom can communicate in real time, and the teacher is able to provide educational guidance and satisfy students’ learning needs. In other words, this teaching model was highly accepted and appreciated by the elders.
Keywords :smart ageing,ADDIE model, lifelong learning, calligraphy