Intergenerational and collaborative use of tablets: «in-medium» and «in-room» communication and interaction

Authors

  • Ana Carla Amaro Departamento de Comunicação e Arte, Universidade de Aveiro DigiMedia | CIC.Digital Center for Research in Communication, Information and Digital Culture http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7863-5813
  • Lidia Oliveira Departamento de Comunicação e Arte, Universidade de Aveiro DigiMedia | CIC.Digital Center for Research in Communication, Information and Digital Culture http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3278-0326
  • Ana Isabel Veloso Departamento de Comunicação e Arte, Universidade de Aveiro DigiMedia | CIC.Digital Center for Research in Communication, Information and Digital Culture

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS1102017995

Keywords:

Intergenerational, Children, Older Adults, Grandparents, Tablets, Communication

Abstract

This study is anchored on two fundamental ideas: i) promoting intergenerational solidarity, relations and communication is a key factor for social development in an aging world; and ii) understand how different generations interact with and around digital media and technology is crucial to reconfigure design methods, so we may enhance intergenerational communication, learning and understanding. In particular, we aim to study how tablet’s devices and applications are jointly and collaboratively used by older adults/grandparents and (grand)children and the perceived impact that those interactions may have on: i) intergenerational relationships; ii) children and older adult’s digital literacy; and iii) attitude towards the other. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews and exploratory studies will be conducted, in the context of which «Joint Media Engagement» (Takeuchi & Stevens, 2011) sessions between selected cases of older adults and children (with and without parental relations) will be promoted, in order to observe, describe and characterize their «in-medium» (Takeuchi & Stevens, 2011) and «in-room» (Stevens, Satwicz & McCarthy, 2008) activities and interactions. We expect to be able to propose a set of guidelines for the design of contents for tablets, intended for intergenerational and collaborative use by older adults and/or grandparents and children and/or grandchildren.

Author Biography

Ana Carla Amaro, Departamento de Comunicação e Arte, Universidade de Aveiro DigiMedia | CIC.Digital Center for Research in Communication, Information and Digital Culture

Ana Carla Amaro obtained her PhD in Multimedia in Education from University of Aveiro (UA), Portugal. Her research interests include technology enhanced intergenerational communication, learning and play, and HCI design for specific audiences (children and older adults). Ana Carla is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Communication and Art, UA, Deputy Director of NTC course and member of CIC.Digital.

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Published

2017-03-31

How to Cite

Amaro, A. C., Oliveira, L., & Veloso, A. I. (2017). Intergenerational and collaborative use of tablets: «in-medium» and «in-room» communication and interaction. Observatorio (OBS*), 11(1). https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS1102017995

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2017)

Section

Articles

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