Age & Interface: Equipping Older Adults with Technological Tools
METHODOLOGY
1. Survey Questionnaire -
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There was a need for up-to-date, bespoke and raw data from the older adults with regard to their perceptions and relationship with smart devices. Therefore, a survey was conducted involving older adults residing in different countries to gather data from diverse mindsets within the age group from 60 to 75 years old. The primary goal was to determine the current trends, popular mobile applications, user's attitude towards technological tools and aid in predicting the next behavioural patterns.
Key Findings -
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31.3% want to learn how to share links/media files across various online platforms
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23.1% want to browse topics for their own interest
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58.8% face difficulty in updating the systems and applications
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35.3% find the system consists of Illegible font size and insufficient brightness
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28.6% want to learn how to access information such as - Read News, check temperatures/weather or updates on COVID-19
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68.8% faced difficulty in remembering the instructions
2. Work Experience - TechServeTo Volunteer
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Founded as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, TechServeTo is an NGO devoted to teaching older parents about the usage of digital tools. I organized a workshop with the participants (older adults) on using and accessing YouTube.
Slides from the YouTube Tutorial Workshop
Workshop with TechServeTo
Mind Map: Mobile Uses
Popular uses of the Smartphone were listed
3. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), 1989 -
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In 1989, Fred Davis and Richard Bagozzi conceptualised TAM which measures technological acceptance among potential users by the following 2 major parameters -
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Perceived Usefulness (PU) - when the user contemplates if the technological tools will enhance their quality of life.
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Perceived ease-of-use (PEOU) - When the user contemplates if the technological tool is user-friendly, simple & easily comprehensible.
The theory of TAM has been utilised to shortlist which operations and smartphone functions should be taught to older adults from the listed uses (refer Mind Map: Mobile Uses).
4. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG)
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The outcomes were designed in accordance with the WCAG 2.0 to accommodate users with special needs involving individuals with low vision, physical/motor disabilities and deaf/hard of hearing. A section of the beginner's handbook introduces the older adults about customising the accessibility features in their smartphones.
Pages from the beginner's handbook presenting section on 'Customising Accessibility Features'