Older people urged to try technology fit for a queen
It's fit for a Queen — and now thousands of older people across Tayside are being encouraged to join the iPad revolution.
- By Jonathan Watson
- Published in the Courier : 11.05.11
- Published online : 14.05.11 @ 06.46pm
Experts at Dundee University are encouraging people to invest some faith in technology after reports that the Queen had asked for an iPad.
It was reported that the monarch had requested her own tablet computer after demonstrations by Prince William and Prince Harry.
The iPad is just one of a number of tablets to hit the market — and with their ease of use and mobility, Norman Alm, senior lecturer at Dundee University's school of computing, believes more Taysiders should join the Queen as 'silver surfers.'
He told The Courier, "The computer has the ability to enhance the lives of older people."
Dr Alm has studied the relationship between computers and the elderly for 10 years. Although admitting that those not used to computing can take some convincing, Dr Alm said that, once introduced, the benefits can quickly win sceptics over.
"It's been a slow start as a lot of the technology is developed by young people, for young people."
But when older people begin to use tablets they find out how good it can be to email family around the world or share photos.
Dr Alm said, "Then they discover using the internet and the tremendous fun that can be for finding out more about their hobbies and exploring interests.
"One of the problems has been the confidence of getting older people to get started, but it's just about exposing people to the device and getting them motivated to use it."
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