new technologies in education
The iPad fosters interaction and creativity among the elderly
Two studies by the UOC show that use of the iPad takes it way beyond being a latest-generation technological tool. Among the uses of the Apple tablet, this research shows that it can help the elderly interact and foster their own creativity. It also provides support to police investigations.
The first project shows that the iPad can be extremely useful for the elderly with a reasonable level of health. Thanks to its relatively easy interface and the fact that it weighs very little, the iPad means that the elderly adapt quickly to using it. Easy access to the resources on this tablet and their applications develop social interrelations among the elderly and help foster creativity.
This project has helped the elderly lose their fear of new technologies in an age dominated by digitalisation. “The aim of this project is to bring people to technology and not the other way round,” says Margarida Romero, one of the driving forces behind this research. “Very often, we have to ‘train' people for technology, instead of considering that we should adapt technology to people.” As well as Romero, Elena Barberà also took part in this project, both being members of the EDUS group (University and School Distance Learning) at the UOC's eLearn Center.
The project was carried out in Finland. However, we hope to develop this type of research into the elderly in Spain, and specifically Catalonia, over the coming years.
The second study shows that “due to its deeply-rooted nature and closed design”, the iPad helps with gathering forensic information to aid police investigations and improve crime clear-up rates. The Apple tablet has a series of information detection features that distinguish it from other tablets by different brands.
Of these, the research's co-author, Luis Gómez, has highlighted the most standard points offered by the iPad operating system, such as cloud stored information (iCloud platform), the fact that the device can be located at any time (the Find My iPhone service) and wireless printing (Airprint service), which is one of the key relevant points to this research. Gómez also believes that “there are other products that offer similar features, but the differences in implementation make it necessary for each platform to be studied separately.”
In relation to crime clear-up, there are proven instances where the iPad has been conclusive. “I have worked personally on cases of threats and blackmail where the devices that work with the iOS operating system have been the decisive element of proof,” says Luis Gómez. “It's also easy to imagine the iPad as key in cases of information leaks,” he added.This study was conducted by Joan Arnedo, researcher at the UOC's research institute, IN3, and Luis Gómez, UOC PhD student.
These two projects analyse and show empirically that the iPad can be used far beyond the confines of the technological uses of the digital age and that tablets, in this specific case the iPad, offer significant work and learning possibilities for different sectors of the population.
Related links
· EDUS
· IN3
28 September 2012
EDULEARN12 - the 4th annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies
EDULEARN12 is an International Forum for those who wish to present their projects and discuss the latest innovations and results in the field of New Technologies in Education, E-learning and methodologies applied to Education and Research.
Important dates:
- Abstract Submission Deadline: March 29th, 2012 (included) (*)
- Notification of Acceptance/Rejection: April 20th, 2012
- Final Paper Submission Deadline: May 17th, 2012 (included) (*)
- Registration deadline for authors: May 17th, 2012 (included) (*)
- Conference Dates: Barcelona (Spain), July 2nd-3rd-4th, 2012
Topics:
Education
- Experiences in Education
- Pedagogical Innovations in Education
- Experiences in Research
- International Projects
- General Issues
Technology in education
- e-Learning
- Computer Supported Collaborative Work
- Emerging Technologies in Education
- Educational Software & Serious Games
- E-content Management and Development
For the complete list of topics, visit the EDULEARN12 website.
Who should attend?
Academics
• Researchers
• Lifelong learning educators
• Technical staff
• Secondary, vocational, or tertiary educators
• Professionals from the private and public sector
• Technologists and Scientifics
• School counsellors, principals and teachers
• Education policy development representatives
• General personnel from vocational sectors
• Student counsellors
• Career/employment officers
• Education advisers
• Student Unions
• Bridging program lecturers & support staff
• Library personnel
• International support and services staff
• Open learning specialists
...and any person interested in Education and New Learning Technologies.
The Future of Education
The second edition of “The Future of Education” conference has the aim to promote transnational cooperation and share good practice in the field of innovation for Education.
The conference is also an excellent opportunity for the presentation of previous and current educational projects.
The aim of the “Future of Education” conference is to promote transnational cooperation and share good practice and in the field of the application of innovation for Education.
The conference focuses on the following topics:
- Art Education
- Distance Education
- Education and New Technologies
- Education and People with Disabilities
- E-learning
- Gender Equality in Education
- Innovative Teaching and Learning Methodologies
- Learning Games
- Media Literacy Education
- Music Education
- Studies on Education
- Studies on Second Language Acquisition
A socio-cultural perspective of creativity for the design of educational environments
In Gauntlett's words, we are moving from a "sit-back-and-be-told culture to a making-and-doing culture". The socio-cultural perspective allows us to rethink how technologies should be used by people to share, build on, be inspired or transform their productions in order to create new products.
The full text of this article is available in English and Spanish.The Spanish version is made possible thanks to our partner, the Organisation of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI). // El texto integro de este artículo está disponible en inglés y castellano. La versión castellana ha sido posible gracias a nuestro socio, la Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (OEI).