Survey improving usability of the smartphones for elders

The focal point of this study is the usability of smartphones for elderly individuals. Notably, Android dominates the current smartphone market share at 72.72%. This prevalence is influenced by various factors, including affordability, a diverse array of manufacturers, and a multitude of options for users to choose from. The satisfaction of most Android users is underscored, and even in cases of dissatisfaction, the platform offers ample opportunities for easy customization of devices. The challenge lies in the reluctance of elderly individuals to embrace the latest technological trends, including social media platforms. It is evident that the elderly exhibit hesitancy in adopting new technologies such as smartphones and their features. This hesitation is attributed to a need for a user experience that is clearer and more understandable, especially when compared to younger users. Elderly individuals often find it challenging to independently navigate essential smartphone features, necessitating assistance from family members or friends who possess a better understanding of the device. This extends to basic tasks such as making calls, sending texts, setting up new devices, and various other functionalities. In this research, an effort is made to understand this barrier with the study of both user experiences and user interface design elements (text size, font, color, etc.) of Smartphones that affect the elderly population. Launchers have been made to overcome this problem but the aim of this research is to find the gap and analyze its solution. The research finds that the gap is because of the android operating system user experience & interface design, since android is developed and managed by google. The research shows how the operating system OS can be improved and make the elder user needs. The primary emphasis of this research is directed towards enhancing the comprehensive experience and interface across the entire operating system. Google's decision to make Android open-source, known as the Android Open-Source Project (AOSP), allows global developers to contribute improvements without the need for special licenses. The proposed idea within this research aims to elevate the AOSP to align with the distinct experience and design expectations of elderly users. This research details the customization of AOSP, resulting in a tailored version of the operating system that incorporates features such as a modified keyboard, audible feedback for actions, enhanced text and control elements, a simplified drag-and-drop experience, redesigned icons, and adjustments to the unlocking and welcome screens that will improves user experience and user interface for elders

A participatory design and formal study investigation into mobile text entry for older adults

Text entry remains key to many tasks on touchscreen smartphones and is an important factor in the usability of such devices. The known problems of text entry can be particularly acute for older adults due to physical and cognitive issues associated with ageing. In a study of mobile text entry the authors employed a variety of participatory design and formal comparative study techniques in order to explore the requirements of this group of users and to discover the key differences in texting activity between them and younger users of mobile devices. They report on the findings of a lab study of texting behaviour of older adults. The authors’ findings indicate differences in attitudes to texting styles and tasks between older and younger adults. They also identify some differences in typing behaviour and reflect on methods

Fall prevention intervention technologies: A conceptual framework and survey of the state of the art

In recent years, an ever increasing range of technology-based applications have been developed with the goal of assisting in the delivery of more effective and efficient fall prevention interventions. Whilst there have been a number of studies that have surveyed technologies for a particular sub-domain of fall prevention, there is no existing research which surveys the full spectrum of falls prevention interventions and characterises the range of technologies that have augmented this landscape. This study presents a conceptual framework and survey of the state of the art of technology-based fall prevention systems which is derived from a systematic template analysis of studies presented in contemporary research literature. The framework proposes four broad categories of fall prevention intervention system: Pre-fall prevention; Post-fall prevention; Fall injury prevention; Cross-fall prevention. Other categories include, Application type, Technology deployment platform, Information sources, Deployment environment, User interface type, and Collaborative function. After presenting the conceptual framework, a detailed survey of the state of the art is presented as a function of the proposed framework. A number of research challenges emerge as a result of surveying the research literature, which include a need for: new systems that focus on overcoming extrinsic falls risk factors; systems that support the environmental risk assessment process; systems that enable patients and practitioners to develop more collaborative relationships and engage in shared decision making during falls risk assessment and prevention activities. In response to these challenges, recommendations and future research directions are proposed to overcome each respective challenge.The Royal Society, grant Ref: RG13082

Understanding How College Students\u27 Literacy Is Affected By Texting SMS Lexicon

Spelling and grammar have always been taught in schools as means of proper language mechanics (U.S.D.E., 2006). Recently, the use of correct spelling and proper grammar in writing among college students has seemed to weaken (Junco & Cotton, 2011). Although there may be many factors that could contribute to this decrease in proper language use, the development of new technologies may be playing an important role. Presently, one of the newest technologies, cell phones, is in the hands of many young adults. Most of these young adults are using their cell phones to send and receive instant messages, or text messages. In typing out text messages a new lexicon has developed that uses a pattern of short cuts to communicate complete sentences (SMS, 2010). The extent to which young adults or college students use this new lexicon may be affecting their ability to spell correctly and use proper grammar language within other arenas; most notably, academics. The purpose of the current study is to analyze the effects of high versus low usage of short messaging system (SMS) lexicon in text messaging on college students’ spelling and grammar abilities. Theory suggests that college students who participate in text messaging more often will have poorer spelling and grammar abilities due to the increase in using the SMS lexicon as opposed to proper English formatting (Hauck, 2003). The high number of text messaging that some college students send and receive daily will negatively correlate with their inability to spell correctly and use proper grammar

Lineamientos para el diseño de aplicaciones de ingreso de texto para adultos mayores

The care and monitoring of the health of the elderly in order to increase life expectancy, their safety, make them self-sufficient, and improve their quality of life, have been the focus of many investigations that involve the use of the Internet of the Things or Internet of Things (IoT). Likewise, many of these systems, social networks and communication tools, are making it necessary for older people to be interested in the use of smartphones or Smartphones, which has inspired to carry out this work, whose objective is to determine the guidelines for the design of text entry applications for older adults. Some works carried out by other authors were considered to obtain the guidelines used for the development of a prototype (called KeySenior) focused on the entry of text, applying the guidelines considered positive for our purpose. The prototype was tested through a user study with a very heterogeneous group of elderly people, from their socio-economic level, the frequency of use and type of mobile phone, to the pathologies they suffer from. They finally answered a questionnaire with the help of one of the researchers, who also took notes of the most important observations, to help to determine the degree of fulfillment of the objective of this work. Some of the guidelines implemented in KeySenior did not have the expected acceptance, however most of them had great acceptance.El cuidado y monitorización de la salud de las personas mayores con el fin de aumentar la esperanza de vida, su seguridad, lograr que sean autosuficientes, y mejorar su calidad de vida, han sido el foco de muchas investigaciones que involucran el uso de internet de las cosas o Internet of Things (IoT). Así mismo, mucho de estos sistemas, las redes sociales y herramientas de comunicación, están haciendo lo necesario para que las personas mayores se interesen en el uso de los teléfonos inteligentes o smartphones, lo que ha inspirado para la realización de este trabajo, cuyo objetivo es determinar los lineamientos para el diseño de aplicaciones de ingreso de texto para adultos mayores. Se consideraron algunos trabajos realizados por otros autores para obtener los lineamientos usados para el desarrollo de un prototipo (denominado KeySenior) enfocado al ingreso de texto, aplicando los lineamientos considerados positivos para nuestro propósito. Se probó el prototipo mediante un estudio de usuarios con un grupo de personas mayores muy heterogéneo, desde su nivel socio-económico, la frecuencia de uso y tipo  de teléfono móvil, hasta las patologías que padecen. Ellos al final contestaron un cuestionario con la ayuda de uno de los investigadores, quien también anotó las observaciones más importantes, para ayudar a determinar el grado de cumplimiento del objetivo de este trabajo. Algunos de los lineamientos implementados en keysenior no tuvieron la aceptación esperada; sin embargo, la mayoría de ellos tuvo gran aceptación

Understanding the Implications of Ubiquitous Mobile Technology for Mature Adults in Post-PC Era Lifelong Learning

Handheld mobile devices open up opportunities and challenges for adult learning in today’s information-rich and technology-abundant world. Some scholars have argued that mature adult learners, most of whom are pre-1982 generations, take up and make use of mobile devices differently from the youth. This qualitative study examines and juxtaposes the lived experiences, opinions, and suggestions from a mature adult sample and a young adult sample in regards to their adoption and use of ubiquitous computing technologies including the tablet. The research findings suggest a coexistence of commonalities and variances within each age group and between the two groups. The tablet technology is perceived by the mature adult sample to be usable and useful, albeit a few technical limits. Still, this device maintains a low to moderate visibility in the learning activities undertaken by the mature adult learners, which can be partially explained by the mature adults’ reserved acceptance of emerging technologies, instant information and online social networking. Social, cultural and technical factors are found to have stronger influences than age on the mature adults’ selective and rationalized use of the tablet technology. By attaching more importance to the mature adults as well as learning from their experiences, insight and judgment, the academy, the industry and the society as a whole can expect more socially aware and more socially responsible technologies, which will, in return, significantly benefit the adult learners in their mobile learning initiatives

Older adults learning technology in an intergenerational program: Qualitative analysis of areas of technology requested for assistance

Adults 65 and older are adapting to technology at a slower rate compared to the overall population. Research has shown that programs can assist older adults in learning and embracing technology. However, little information exists about what specific forms of technology older adults are interested in learning and for what purposes. To describe areas of technology older adults are interested in learning and why this study examined qualitative data from an intergenerational service-learning program in which students in higher education assist and mentor older adults with and about technology that older adults want to learn. Data was analyzed from in-depth observation logs maintained by students after each educational session. Eight themes emerged related to areas of technology older adults were interested in learning about: basic functions, staying connected, organization, leisure, managing photos, productivity, managing money, and health. Of the 827 total phrases coded, the top themes related to technology use were: basic function (28%), staying connected (23%), and organization (15%). The majority of older adults requested help with their devices’ basic functions, including an orientation to mobile devices, tablet and/or computer, making tactile functions easier, creating accounts, setting and restoring passwords, and understanding basic cyber security. Findings from this study reinforce that older adults are interested in learning the technology basics, which may lead to utilization of technology for social, civic, and productive engagement purposes in addition to managing health. This study provides valuable information for organizations that help older adults learn technology and for entities that design technology or want to increase technology adoption for older adults

Designing interactions for the ageing populations – addressing global challenges

We are concurrently witnessing two significant shifts: digital devices are becoming ubiquitous, and older people are becoming a very large demographic group. However, despite the recent increase in related CHI publications, older adults continue to be underrepresented in HCI research as well as commercially. Therefore, the overarching aim of this workshop is to increase the momentum for such research within CHI and related fields such as gerontechnology. For this, we plan to create a space for discussing and sharing principles and strategies to design interactions and evaluate user interfaces (UI) for the ageing population. We thus welcome contributions of empirical studies, theories, design and evaluation of UIs for older adults. Building on the success of last two year’s workshops, we aim to grow the community of CHI researchers across borders interested in this topic by fostering a space to exchange results, methods, approaches, and ideas from research on interactive applications in support of older adults that are reflective of international diversity that is representative of CHI

EzNav: A mobile Web browser for the elderly

A população mundial está a envelhecer, podendo-se observar uma tendência semelhante no que diz respeito aos utilizadores da Internet. De facto, estudos revelam que as pessoas com mais de 60 anos constituem o grupo com maior crescimento, no que concerne à procura de informação na World Wide Web. No entanto, os desenhos ineficientes das existentes ferramentas tecnológicas e aplicações constituem uma barreira à inclusão digital, por parte dos idosos. Além disso, a maioria destes sofre de um declínio nas suas capacidades visuais, motoras e cognitivas, o que poderá dificultar a interação Web.O projeto descrito neste documento tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de uma aplicação Android, que consiste num navegador Web para os seniores, tendo como foco as suas necessidades. Para tal, foi feita uma revisão da literatura em profundidade acerca das características e dos comportamentos dos adultos mais velhos em relação à interação Web, para que fosse possível encontrar modificações e melhorias a fazer, no que toca à interação de utilizadores idosos com as tecnologias atuais. A aplicação desenvolvida visa ser orientada para os seniores, não só por considerar aspetos gráficos da interface (como usar menos botões e maiores), mas também aspetos do motor de navegação da Web (como remover anúncios, aumentar espaçamento entre parágrafos e alterar cores).De modo a validar a solução e a obter feedback dos utilizadores, protótipos de baixa e de alta fidelidade foram desenvolvidos e testados com um grupo de idosos, num Centro de Dia. Isto permitiu um ciclo acelerado de contínuo desenvolvimento e testes, aumentando, assim, o feedback recebido e, consequentemente, a qualidade geral do sistema. Tendo em conta estas premissas, o desenvolvimento deste projeto seguiu uma metodologia de desenho centrado no utilizador (user-centred design), que, como o nome indica, coloca o utilizador no centro do processo de desenho.Os resultados dos testes finais são promissores, na medida em que todos os utilizadores foram capazes de realizar todas as tarefas, sem dificuldades. Além disso, os idosos, em geral, consideraram a aplicação fácil de usar e todos eles mostraram interesse em utilizá-la novamente, o que reflete uma grande aceitação da mesma. Tendo em conta estes resultados, pode-se afirmar que os objetivos estabelecidos foram, de modo geral, cumpridos.Ageing population is increasing around the world and a similar trend is being observed in the population of Internet users. In fact, some studies revealed that people aged 60 years and over constitute the fastest growing group of information seekers on the World Wide Web. However, inadequate interface designs of existing technology tools and apps constitute a barrier to elders' digital inclusion. Besides, most older adults suffer from a decline in their visual, motor and cognitive skills that may hamper Web interaction.The project described in this document aimed at the development of an Android mobile application that consists of a Web browser for older adults, focusing on their needs. This was done through an in-depth literature review on older adults' characteristics and behaviours towards Web interaction, as well as on guidelines for designing for older people, in order to find possible modifications and improvements regarding senior user interaction with current technologies. The developed application aims at being senior-oriented, not only by considering graphical user interface (GUI) aspects (like using fewer, bigger buttons), but also Web engine aspects (removing ads, increasing spacing between paragraphs, changing colours).In order to validate the solution and get feedback from users, both low- and high-fidelity prototypes were developed and tested with a group of elders, at a day care centre. This allowed for a fast-paced cycle of continuous development and testing, thus increasing the received feedback and, consequently, the overall quality of the system. Given these premises, the development of this project followed a user-centred design (UCD) methodology, which puts the user at the centre of the design process.The results from the final usability tests proved promising, with all test participants performing all tasks, with no effort. Besides, seniors, in general, felt the application was easy to use and all of them would like to use it again, which shows great acceptance and interest in the application. Given these results, one can say that all the goals were, in general, fulfilled