PUB LDS 670 The over 50s and technology.pdf (349.04 kB)
The over 50s and their motivations for using technology
conference contribution
posted on 2011-03-28, 09:21 authored by Alison Burrows, Val MitchellVal Mitchell, Colette NicolleDespite the growing body of research into older adults‟ use of technology and the Internet, little is
known about their motivations for taking up these products and services. The overall image that
emerges from the literature is negative: low self-efficacy beliefs, computer anxiety and usability
issues, which exacerbated by the decline of abilities that occurs naturally with ageing, prevent older
people from using unfamiliar interactive consumer products. However, there is evidence to suggest
that older adults want to be able to use new technology in order to feel included in society, and are
willing to invest in learning how to use them provided the expected outcomes are perceived as
obviously beneficial. This paper details a qualitative study designed to investigate what benefits older
adults expect to gain from the technological products they acquire and use. The Technology
Biography method was adapted and applied to participants in three age groups: 50-64, 65-75, and over
75 years old. The findings indicate greater acceptance of technology than expected from existing
studies. This work is discussed in the context of older adults‟ motivations to use technology, and how
their expectations and aspirations affect the uptake of these products.
History
School
- Design
Citation
BURROWS, A., MITCHELL, V. and NICOLE, C., 2010. The over 50s and their motivations for using technology. IN: For the People and the Earth of Tomorrow Towards a Sustainable Co-existence: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference for Universal Design, Hamamatsu, Japan, 30th October-3rd November.Publisher
International Association of Universal Design (© The authors)Version
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Publication date
2010Notes
This is a conference paper.Publisher version
Language
- en