Older people’s appropriation of computers and the Internet

This thesis looks at how older people integrate computers and the Internet into their everyday lives and make these technologies their own as part of their broader experience of ageing. The thesis starts by considering the limits of current ‘deficit-driven’ models of accessible design used in relation to older people and highlights a need to develop new approaches which can accommodate the adaptive and ‘positive’ capacities that emerge with advanced age. The approach subsequently developed provides a consideration of older people’s situated and subjective experiences in relation to computer and Internet engagement as part of their adaptations to ageing. Qualitative and ethnographic data in the form of participant observations, contextual interviews and video-based observations are all used to examine the ways in which older users identify computers and the Internet as relevant and construct meaningful uses for them over time. Four case studies are used to explore the contextual and subjective determinants of these emerging psycho-socio-technical relationships over time and in different contexts. Through grounded analysis patterns are established in the data which outline persistent qualities of these emerging relationships in relation to ageing. A psycho-socio-technical process known as ‘appropriation’ is used to frame these adaptive relationships as they develop over time. In contrast to existing models of accessibility this analysis shows computer and Internet appropriation to be driven primarily by positive adaptations to ageing rather than its deficits. Six ‘core themes of relevance’ are identified across the studies (social contact; acquiring knowledge; supporting independence; intergenerational connection; reminiscence and life review and creativity) which represent age-relevant motivations that can be used as the basis for accessible designs promoting appropriation. In addition appropriation is outlined as a cumulative developmental process with distinct phases over time. This provides a structure for supporting older people’s appropriation of computers and the Internet whilst maintaining an emphasis on well-being. Finally this thesis contributes to understandings of contemporary ageing, offering insights into the potential for computers and the Internet to change the ageing experience in developed societies

A Future Large-Aperture UVOIR Space Observatory: Reference Designs

Our joint NASA GSFC/JPL/MSFC/STScI study team has used community-provided science goals to derive mission needs, requirements, and candidate mission architectures for a future large-aperture, non-cryogenic UVOIR space observatory. We describe the feasibility assessment of system thermal and dynamic stability for supporting coronagraphy. The observatory is in a Sun-Earth L2 orbit providing a stable thermal environment and excellent field of regard. Reference designs include a 36-segment 9.2 m aperture telescope that stows within a five meter diameter launch vehicle fairing. Performance needs developed under the study are traceable to a variety of reference designs including options for a monolithic primary mirror

The Grizzly, January 30, 2014

Sexual Misconduct Numbers in Security Report Explained • Live Feed From Ritter Stirs Debate • Colleges Soon to Consider the Impact of MOOCs • Non-Traditional Careers for Psychology Majors • School Spirit on the Rise • First Salinger Read-a-Thon Brings Holden Back to Ursinus Campus • Culture Shock: Returning to UC • Opinion: Drug Policy\u27s Punishments are Too Harsh; Netflix Streaming is Hogging our Resources • As Olympics Near, Controversy Grows • Super Bowl: Fierce Competition, Big Personalities • Winter Recap: Wrestling, Women\u27s Swimming Shinehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1895/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, April 24, 2014

Ursinus Conducts First Ever ISGP Conference on Pandemic Preparedness • Library Staff Planning for Big Changes • First Schellhase Ursinus Essay Prize Announced on CoSa Day • Annual Charity Art Fair to Support Camp Cranium • Political Activists to Speak at Graduation • Senior Fellows Help to Shape the Incoming Freshman Class • Alumni Weekend to be Held on Campus • Opinion: Parents Influence our Political Beliefs; Fight to Preserve Net Neutrality in the US • Balancing Act for the Ages: Senior Bryn O\u27Neill • Opinion: MLB Must Move on From Steroid Era • Men\u27s Lacrosse Stays Alive, Baseball Splits with JHUhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1905/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, May 1, 2014

Faculty Start First Creative Art Exchange at Myrin Library • UC Sustainability and Graduation Speaker Important to Upcoming Commencement • Safety and Care Remain Important RA Qualities • Bearitones and B\u27Naturals Will Take the Stage This Weekend for Semesterly Concerts • Ursinus Dance Company to Take the Stage This Weekend • Soccer Tournament Supports Ragball • Fulbright Winner Will Travel to Spain • Opinion: Four Loko-Type Drinks Shouldn\u27t be Banned; Temple Cuts Cast Shadow Over Men\u27s Gymnastics • Opinion: NFL Players Earn Every Cent • NBA Owner Accused of Making Racist Comments • Men\u27s Lacrosse, Both Tennis Teams Finish Stronghttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1906/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 6, 2014

Reimert Party Suspension Sparks USGA Meeting About Safety Risks • Career Department Clarifies Post-Grad Placement Data • Representative Will Discuss Drexel\u27s Graduate Programs • Wismer Sanitation Revisited • Auntie Anne Shares Pretzel Wisdom with U-Innovate! • CIE Hits the Road for UC Graduates • Summer Mentors to Continue • Opinion: Ursinus Drug Policy Should Adhere to the Law; Multilingual Education Should be Considered • Blowout on Super Bowl Sunday • Krasna Chasing 1000, Succeeding in Classroom • Men\u27s Basketball Breaks Losing Streak; Wrestling and Women\u27s Swimming Remain Undefeatedhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1896/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 27, 2005

Clamer Ghosts at it Again • Henrietta: A Haunting Tale • Spirits Spook BWC and Elliott • Terror Behind the Walls • Lighter Side of Halloween • Senior Halloween Party Promises to Bring Excitement to the Weekend • Opinions: Words that Scare People • Streak Ends as Bears Douse Bullets • Bears Blank Bulletshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1697/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, April 17, 2014

U-Innovate! Winners Announced • UC to Finalize Peace Corps Agreement • Dance Class Brings Second Ricochet More Participation • Ursinus Students Attend History Conference, Two Receive Awards • Freshman Poet Wins National Award for Sonnet • UC Eats Kosher • Professor Houghton Kane to Retire This Year • Opinion: Autism Acceptance Goes Beyond Statistics; Friendly Advice for Dull Weekends at College • Bubba Watson Hits His Way Into Second Green Jacket • Opinion: Sleeved NBA Jerseys Should be Reconsidered • Many UC Teams Plagued by Close Losseshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1904/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, January 26, 2006

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observed and Celebrated at Ursinus • Renowned Rodin Exhibit Premieres in Berman Museum • Ursinus Establishes Salinger Scholarship and Offers Salinger\u27s Dorm Room • Francophone Film Festival at Ursinus • Artist to Perform in Lansdale • Uninvited Guests • Excellent Opportunity is Available through Career Services • Turning Over a New Leaf • My Personal Pact Against Segregation • Weigh in on Proper Fitness Center Etiquette • Opinions: Whole Foods Market Harvests Natural Energy; The New Prejudice: The Unruly Child? • Fiery Free Throws from Fureyhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1703/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, April 14, 2005

Iraqi Visit for Model UN • Airband Raises Over $12k for Charity • Spring Fling is in the Air • Death of the Pope • UC\u27s Five Year Plan • Collective Soul Concert a Success • Ritter\u27s Last Play Debuts • Business Students go All-in for ALS • Art of Emotional Foreplay • Who\u27s in the Accepted Class of 2009? • Opinions: Lesson in Filibustering: Why You Need to Know; It\u27s my Party, I Invite Who I Want to; It\u27s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year; People Don\u27t Cause Traffic Problems, SUVs Do • Long Week for Women\u27s Softball • Women\u27s Lacrosse Team Continues Winning Streakhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1583/thumbnail.jp