Introduction

This course has been specifically designed to support seniors in independently placing orders on Amazon, enhancing their confidence and self-reliance in online shopping. In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, nearly everything is available at our fingertips. However, those who didn't integrate technology into their lives early on often find themselves left behind. This course aims to bridge that gap, bringing them one step closer to technology. The artifact consists of two key components: a video providing a clear overview, and an interactive simulation-based practice. The practice, designed as an imitation of the Amazon mobile webpage, serves as both a learning tool and a safe space for practicing how to place online orders.

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Audience

The target audience for this learning design is senior members of society, specifically individuals aged 60 and above as well as digital immigrants of all ages (Prensky, 2001). Individuals who did not grow up with digital technology may find it challenging to adapt to modern technological interfaces (Vroman, 2015). The term "digital immigrants" emphasizes the fact that while these seniors have entered the digital age, they often lack fluency and comfort with modern technology, especially with tasks such as online shopping since it involves the transaction of money on a virtual platform.

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Learning Goals

The primary learning goal of this course is to provide our audience an opportunity to independently place orders on the Amazon mobile website. By learning this skill, they will gain autonomy in their shopping experiences, which is particularly important for those with mobility issues or those who prefer the convenience of online shopping, but currently rely on friends and/or family. Ultimately, this course aims to teach them to seamlessly interact with technology, enabling them to place orders without assistance and enhancing their quality of life by giving them freedom of access to a wide range of products online (Tsai, 2017).

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Design Specification

Context of Use

The course is designed for seniors to use in the comfort of their homes, ideally on a mobile, though it can also be accessed on a desktop or tablet. The design centers on the Amazon mobile website since smartphones are more commonly used than desktop computers. Moreover, the user interface of Amazon's mobile and desktop websites is quite similar, allowing for easy transfer of knowledge between the two platforms. Additionally, the course has been designed to be completed in a single session of 30-45 minutes, with the option for learners to revisit the simulation at any time for additional practice. This allows learners to proceed at their own pace and engage with the material as many times as needed to feel comfortable with the process.

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Activity Structure

The learning design has two core components:

1. Instructional Video: A 7-minute instructional video will guide learners through the process of placing an order on the Amazon mobile website. This video provides step-by-step visual instructions, catering to seniors who benefit from clear explanations and demonstrations. This video is based on the 12 multimedia principles by Richard Mayer (Mayer, 2021) 

2. Interactive Simulation: The second part of the course involves a simulation built in Articulate Storyline, replicating the Amazon mobile website interface. Learners will have the opportunity to practice navigating through the mobile website, searching for items, adding them to their cart, and proceeding to checkout. This simulation allows them to experience the real-world process in a risk-free environment, which is crucial for building confidence and competence (Clark, 2016).

The interactive nature of this simulation addresses the problem of technological fear by providing seniors with a "safe space" to practice ordering without the consequences of making real purchases. By simulating the experience of placing an order, the course also supports authentic learning, where skills gained in the course are easily transferable to real-world situations (LoBuono, 2019).

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Design Decisions

Choice of Mobile website

The course focuses on the Amazon mobile website rather than the desktop site because smartphones are more commonly used among seniors. Additionally, by using the mobile website, learners can engage with the content wherever they are, adding to the accessibility and convenience of the learning design.

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Use of Simulation-Based Learning
Simulation-based learning in the course offers the chance to practice in a realistic, consequence-free environment, reducing fear and encouraging experimentation.

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Tools and Affordance

Articulate Storyline was selected as the authoring tool due to its ability to create highly interactive and responsive simulations. Features like triggers, conditions, and variables allow for flexibility and creativity in designing realistic scenarios that mimic the Amazon mobile website experience. The Amazon mobile website screenshots and screen recordings were edited with the video editing software Movavi. These were then organized using MS PowerPoint before being imported into Articulate Storyline.

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Error-Free Environment

The course provides an error-free environment where learners cannot make mistakes with real-world implications. This builds their confidence, as they can explore and try different actions without the fear of making a costly error or accidentally placing an order. The emphasis on hands-on, trial-and-error learning is central to reducing the technological anxiety that many seniors experience (Barnard, 2013).

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Assessment

Learners would be assessed in small groups, where they will be placing orders on Amazon’s mobile website without on-screen cues, under the supervision of a trained person. The progress of the course takers in the assessment would be an indication of their ability to follow the steps required to place an order on the Amazon mobile website.

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Future Consideration

For future course enhancements, additional modules covering topics such as logging in to the account after it has been created, canceling orders, and understanding the return process will provide further support and independence to the audience.

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This course was created for an academic assignment at Simon Fraser University