18 May 2010
Silver Surfer Day 2010 at the University of Dundee
Event - Thursday 20th May 10.30am to 2.30pm, School of Computing
Queen Mother Building, University of Dundee
National Silver Surfer Day at the University of Dundee this week will see older people from the local area working with one of the largest and most influential academic groups in the world researching into information technology for older and disabled people.
Those attending will also have the chance to take part in a new research project which aims to discover the extent to which older adults are excluded from, or linked into, the rapidly changing world of technology.
'Within a few years it will be difficult to access government services, banks, arrange transport, or even be entertained without using some form of personal computer, information kiosk, digital interactive television, or intelligent mobile device,' said Dr Paula Forbes, at the School of Computing.
'Our research is concerned with the design of applications and devices so that they will be created in such a way that nearly everyone can use them. Our goal is that everyone has full access to information and services.
'For this purpose, we are creating a Research Pool of participants who are willing to take part in research studies. Research Pool participants will help us consider products at the idea stage and help assess them throughout the research process for feedback on how accessible and user friendly they are. We are also studying what people find difficult and confusing when they use new products or services.
'Older adults who are willing to take part in research studies can help us by signing up for the Research Pool, which they will be able to do at our open event on Silver Surfer Day.'
National Silver Surfer Day is an event held annually to try and increase older people's access to technology.
The School of Computing at Dundee hosts a regular User Centre for older people that is already extremely popular with the local community. The User Centre is the focus of the School’s groundbreaking work looking at how older people interact with new technologies.
'The partnership that the User Centre has with the University is mutually beneficial as the University obtains information as to how existing computer systems could be improved upon, thus influencing future design, as well as hearing from the older people what uses they have for such systems,' said Dr Forbes.
'The older generation gains computer experience in a relaxed and modern setting, and are able to draw upon our expertise as one of the largest and most influential academic groups in the world researching into information technology for older and disabled people.'
More than 1,500 Silver Surfers’ Day events to help older people get online will be held across the UK this week. The User Centre are hosting their event on Thursday 20th May between 10.30am and 2.30pm when anyone can drop in to see some of the benefits technology can have for them.
Those Silver Surfers attending will have access to ‘On the Day’, a new web-based interactive resource to learn basic computer skills, how to email, scan and upload photos, place an online order, play a quiz about health and wellbeing, listen to music, and using the Internet to find information and save money.
Anyone wishing to sign up for the Research Pool who can’t make it to the event on Thursday can register by email at researchpool@computing.dundee.ac.uk or by calling Marianne Dee on 01382 388237.
The Research Pool is being formed as part of the £12million Digital Economy Research Hub which the University of Dundee is part of, alongside lead institution the University of Newcastle.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The User Centre at the School of Computing is now in it’s 5th year and is a friendly group of older people who meet to learn and support each other in developing new skills and to build upon existing knowledge. Drop-in classes run on Tuesday, Thursday & Friday mornings between 10 & 12 where older people ( anyone aged 55+) can come along and learn in a relaxed environment at their own pace. More structured classes also run on Thursday afternoons, where a specific topic is covered, for example, 'Making your computer easier to use'.
All events for National Silver Surfer Day are listed on a searchable database at http://silversurfers.digitalunite.com/events/.
Information on local events is also available by phoning 0800 100 900. Silver Surfers’ Day is coordinated by Digital Unite and supported by Ofcom.
For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902 |
