Co-Design Of Technology Driven Self-Management With Older Adults: An International Approach

There has been an emergence in technology applications (apps) aimed at addressing needs amongst older adults and persons with cognitive impairment (PwCI). Despite the ubiquity of these apps, utilization is low, primarily due to a lack of involvement of PwCI and the perception that these apps have little motivational value. Engaging PwCI in creative processes such as co-design could lead to the creation of apps that better meets the needs of this population. The current study applies a user-centered, participatory approach to involve PwCI in the design of a new self-management and coaching app, RESILIEN-T. Co-design workshops were held with 12 PwCI across Italy, Netherlands and Canada; structured as four modules: (1) introduction and expectation setting, (2) user analysis, (3) storytelling, and (4) collaborative design. Based on interviews with PwCI, stories of individuals which reflect the target population were created (personas) and the solutions to the needs of these personas were discussed. Information about participant’s interests, computer proficiency and self-rated cognitive decline were collected. Participants were asked to try 10 existing apps and provided feedback on the design, usability and functionality. Lastly, participants were shown a prototype for RESILIEN-T and provided feedback based on the personas that they helped create. Co-design activities revealed that personalization is crucial for adherence. Aspects of physical and social activity, nutrition and cognition were most important to participants. Participants found many apps that are recommended for older adults do not appear age appropriate and seem condescending. These findings were common across PwCI from various nations.

Readiness of Human Capital in Implementation of E-Marking of National Examinations in Malawi

The aim of this study was to investigate readiness of the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) examiners’ in e-marking of national examinations and general use of technology with focus on their computer proficiency and perception. The study followed an explanatory sequential mixed methods research design and data was collected from sampled examiners through a questionnaire, a focus group discussion (FGD) and a computer proficiency assessment test. The findings show that over 90% of the participants had moderate to very high computer proficiency levels. The findings also show that both age and gender did not have any effect on the technology readiness index (TRI) of Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examiners but on Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examiners. The findings also indicate no effect of the examiners’ years of marking experience on their TRI. The distribution of examiners across TRI segments shows that the number of examiners increases with the increasing order of adoption propensity. In line with this, most examiners showed positive perception of e-marking of national examinations as well as moderate to very high computer proficiency level.

A Simple Assessment of Information Security Awareness in Hospital Staff Across Five Danish Regions

Information Security Awareness among employees in healthcare has become an essential part in safeguarding health information systems against cyber-attacks and data breaches. We present three simple security awareness questions that can be included in larger surveys gauging other aspects of information systems. The questions have been tested in a national Danish survey to evaluate correlations among medical profession, computer proficiency, experience, and place of employment. We find that dissatisfaction with system usability is strongly linked with reduced information security awareness, and that clinical professions have different responses to security concerns.

Improve the Professional Ability of Khmer Ethnic Minority Secondary School Teachers in Southwestern Vietnam to Meet the Educational Reform Requirements

The contingent of Khmer ethnic minority secondary school teachers in Vietnam has contributed to the universalization of lower secondary education, creating learning opportunities and equity in education for Khmer ethnic children. Therefore, Khmer minority secondary school teachers play an important role in the education of the frontier provinces; they also had several deficits in professional ability, on the other hand. 1536 Khmer teachers attended the research on improving the ability of Khmer ethnic minority secondary school teachers through a case study in Southwestern Vietnam, more than half (57.2%) were male teachers. The professional ability was measured by a professional qualification, English proficiency, and computer proficiency. The result has shown that less than half of Khmer teachers meet with the Ministry of Education and Training criteria for professional ability. An urgent need for education is to improve the professional ability of Khmer ethnic minority secondary school teachers as society grows.

The Perceived Importance of Cybercrime Control among Police Officers: Implications for Combatting Industrial Espionage

The current research explored the predictors of how police officers perceived the importance of combatting cybercrime. This is an era in which industrial security is threatened by perpetrators who use advanced techniques to steal information online. Understanding how law enforcement officers view the control of cybercrimes, especially those that steal confidential business information, can inform industrial espionage prevention and help maintain a nation’s industrial competitiveness in the world market. We surveyed a convenience sample of South Korean police officers attending training at the Police Human Resources Development Institute (PHRDI) using a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. The results indicated that the officers’ perceptions of colleagues’ and organizational views on cybercrime control significantly impacted their attitudes. Additionally, officers’ perceptions of the seriousness of online theft (in this paper, we use the terms online theft and property cybercrime interchangeably) and their computer proficiency were also found to affect their views on the importance of combatting cybercrimes. We conclude by suggesting that the police take a proactive organizational approach to prevent and respond to online property crimes through education and public awareness programs, which could positively impact the prevention of industrial espionage.

Digital Proficiency Is Not a Significant Barrier for Taking Up Hearing Services With a Hybrid Online and Face-to-Face Model

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the effect of self-perceived digital proficiency on the uptake of hearing services through a hybrid online and face-to-face hearing health care model. Method Adults were recruited via online methods to complete an online hearing screening test within the greater Durban area in South Africa. On submission of contact details after failing the screening, contact was made via telephone to assess readiness for further hearing care. If motivated and willing to continue, a face-to-face appointment for diagnostic hearing testing was confirmed, at which time an e-mail with an online mobile device and computer proficiency survey was sent. Hearing services were offered using combined online and face-to-face methods. Results Within 2 years (June 2017 to June 2019), 1,259 people from the target location submitted their details for the clinic audiologist to contact, of whom 931 participants (73.95%) failed the screening test. Of these participants, 5.69% (53/931, 57.41% men) attended a face-to-face diagnostic hearing evaluation. Mobile device and computer proficiency scores were not a predictor of acquiring hearing services. Age was the only significant predictor ( p = .018) for those continuing with hearing care. Patients who continued with hearing care by acquiring hearing aids and support services were older ( M = 73.63 years, SD = 11.62) and on average aware of their hearing loss for a longer time ( M = 14.71 years, SD = 15.77), as compared to those who discontinued hearing health care who were younger ( M = 59.21 years, SD = 14.42) and on average aware of their hearing loss for a shorter time ( M = 6.37 years, SD = 9.26). Conclusions Digital proficiency is not a predictor for acquiring hearing services through a hybrid online and face-to-face hearing care model. Hybrid services could allow professionals to assist patients in a combination of face-to-face and online services tailored to meet individual needs, including convenience and personalized care.

SmartPrompt Reminder Application Improves Everyday Task Completion and Reduces Inefficient Behaviors

The SmartPrompt phone-based reminder application was designed according to neuropsychological theory and pilot testing to facilitate everyday functioning. A laboratory-based pilot of ten participants with MCI and mild dementia showed significantly greater task completion with significantly fewer checking behaviors when using the SmartPrompt versus a control condition. Younger individuals and those who engaged in more checking behaviors completed more tasks in the control condition, but these relations were not significant when using the SmartPrompt. After 15 minutes of training, caregivers achieved near perfect scores on a SmartPrompt configuration quiz. Participant and caregiver usability ratings were strong, even though participants reported relatively low computer proficiency and neutral/unfavorable attitudes towards technology. Piloting informed modifications of the SmartPrompt to enhance personalization (e.g., customized alarms/rewards) and improved human-computer-interaction for in-home testing. Preliminary in-home test data on individually-owned smartphones and conclusions regarding barriers and facilitators to the effectiveness of the modified SmartPrompt will be discussed.

A New Tool for Assessing Older Adults’ Wireless Network Proficiency: The Wireless Network Proficiency Questionnaire

Interacting with information communication technologies (ICTs) often requires proficiency with wireless networks. For older adults especially, lacking proficiency can lock them out of the many benefits afforded by these devices. In an older adult sample ( N = 203), we assessed reliability and validated a set of tools to assess wireless network proficiency: the Wireless Network Proficiency Questionnaire (WNPQ; 19 questions) and a short-form (WNPQ-8; eight questions). The WNPQ and WNPQ-8 were found to be reliable and valid, positively related to computer proficiency ( r = .63 for both) and mobile device proficiency ( r = .75, r = .74), and negatively related to age ( r = −.21, r = −.23). WNPQ scores predicted whether participants could report their Wi-Fi credentials (odd ratio = 1.17–1.73). We conclude that the WNPQ may serve as a useful tool for facilitating wireless network training and assessing proficiency in research.

Demographics and perceived computer skill levels as predictors of faculty awareness and use of electronic information resources

Purpose The main aim of this paper is to examine the role of demographics and self-reported computer skill levels as predictors of e-resources awareness and use by faculty members working at various public and private universities in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was conducted at public and private universities in Bangladesh. A total of 757 faculty members from 48 universities across the country responded to the survey. The data were analyzed using various descriptive statistics, i.e. frequencies and percentages and non-parametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were conducted to see the differences in levels of awareness among faculty members in terms of university type, gender, age, designation, specialization and computer proficiency levels. An ordinal regression model was used to predict the role of demographics and computer skill levels on faculty awareness levels. Finally, correlation coefficient was measured to see the relationships between faculty awareness and use of e-resources. Findings The findings revealed that faculty members working at different universities in Bangladesh are generally aware of most e-resources types. There were significant differences in faculty awareness in terms of demographics and self-reported computer skills levels. The results showed that computer proficiency level is a significant predictor of faculty awareness of e-resources. The findings also showed that awareness and use of e-resources are positively and significantly correlated. Originality/value This is the foremost attempt to assess the role of demographics and computer skill levels as predictors of awareness and use of e-resources by faculty members.