Low Usage of Intelligent Technologies by the Aged: New Initiatives to Bridge the Digital Divide

View Sample PDF

Author(s): John Heng (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)and Subhasis Banerji (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)
Copyright: 2011
Pages: 19
Source title: Intelligent Technologies for Bridging the Grey Digital Divide
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Jeffrey Soar (University of Southern Queensland, Australia), Rick Swindell (Griffith University, Australia)and Philip Tsang (The Open University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61520-825-8.ch012

Keywords: Digital Divide & Developing Countries / Government & Law / Human Aspects of Technology / Information Science Reference

Purchase

View Low Usage of Intelligent Technologies by the Aged: New Initiatives to Bridge the Digital Divide on the publisher's website for pricing and purchasing information.

Abstract

Contrary to expectations, assistive technology (AT) usage by the elderly has not increased in proportion to availability and ease of access. This is despite a belief that technology can contribute significantly towards improving their quality-of-life. Our Rehabilitation Mechatronics research group at NTU Singapore is developing a “unified neuro-physio platform”, taking a cue from Eastern philosophies which emphasize that the “internal environment” of the users strongly affects how they interact with the “external environment.” This chapter highlights the need to bridge these two environments meaningfully through “sensitive” technologies which address the mindsets and learning mechanisms of users. The technology platform we propose helps the elderly to understand and enhance their internal environment in order to interact at various levels with AT in their external environment. It provides a fresh approach to understanding and minimizing the persistent “digital divide” between the elderly and high technology.

The IRMA Community

Research IRM

Low Usage of Intelligent Technologies by the Aged: New Initiatives to Bridge the Digital Divide

Purchase

Abstract

Related Content

IRMA Sponsors