| This nonprofit aims to provide the elderly (50+) with education and access to computer technology. They host classes at over 200 different Learning Centers throughout the world. They also have discussion forums, blogs, and extensive info on health, recent technology, and recreational activities, among other things. |
An article reviewing the most successful "brain games" for senior citizens to use to prolong their cognitive function and delay Alzheimer's Disease. These programs have been scientifically-backed and clinically tested. |
Peer-reviewed study says that program elicits an average 10-year improvement in memory! This can be used as a prevention to memory loss. |
| Research on Cognitive Learning and Technology in Older Adult Populations |
In the "Educational Gerontology" journal, this 2005 article reviews the literature on the needs of older adults in learning technology and computer skills. The authors provide models and suggestions on how to design technology that faciliates learning among the elderly. NOTE: This article can't be viewed in full on the web link given above. In order to see the article, log in to PsychInfo and search for either the title or author to get the full .pdf version (30 pages in length). |
| Chatjungle.com is a free, fun, user-friendly and visually-appealing place that older adults can go to chat with their peers. This website divides rooms by age, and even adults in their 30s can join a discussion. They even have an option of a "Senior Room" with Audio Video for people who may have difficulties with computer typing! |
Additional interesting Senior Citizen-related links!
| This group of research projects aims to provide technology solutions that support independent ageing in the home environment. They focus their technology development around health issues, such as "fall prevention", cognitive function, and overall social and societal issues that come with ageing. |
| Mobile company in UK attempts to market phone with big, easy-to-use buttons to senior citizens, but stores and charities for the elderly see the technology as useless and patronising. |
| 100 "Ageless Americans", ages 54 to 104, by giving them free Nintendo DS Lite systems and a copy of their "Brain Age" software. Intersting that all 100 recipients are honored for their commitment to physical activity and the outdoors by receiving a video game... |
| This company sells fun, kid-friendly computers for kids. It's hard to tell how user-friendly some of the designs really would be for a very young child, but children sure would want to use them! Be sure to check out the "Race Car PC". | UK company that sells cute computer mice to accompany a computer! Perfect for households who don't want to buy a separate computer for the kids but want them to feel more comfortable playing those educational computer games. |
| Makes reading and learning fun for ages 2-7. Game lets kids learn and sing the ABCs, practice spelling, word recognition, reading comprehension, and, or course, rhyming. | This interactive math and science website is very user-friendly and the layout and design cater directly to young girls ages 11-17. The website helps boost confidence and teaches girls how to think independently. Check out the "Make Sense of Your Makeup" link! |
| This paper reviews past literature and discusses the results of their own study on the various roles children can have in the design process including the difficulties and benefits with using kids' input. | This article is a bit more dense than the other one, but highlights some interesting findings from surveying kids about the frequency of computer game play. Not completely surprising, boys reported playing video and computer games more than twice as frequently as girls (Figure 7). |
| A closely monitored chat room service that has set hours of operation and requires parental approval and paid registration prior to entering the chat room. Website is obviously geared towards the parental audience but emphasizes the fun environment they provide for kids. |
Research, assembly, and website created by Nicolia Eldred-Skemp 2/20/08