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K. Slegers

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Papers by K. Slegers

Succesful cognitive aging : the use of computers and the internet to support autonomy in later life

Neuropsych Publishers is a non-profit organization, which aims at promoting the science of 'Brain... more Neuropsych Publishers is a non-profit organization, which aims at promoting the science of 'Brain and Behaviour' and improving the application of the products of this science in health care and education. Neurpsych Publishers accomplishes these aims by publishing books, dissertations and other products of scientific activity, by disseminating educational materials and publications of tests, assessment scales and other psychometric instruments in the field of Neuropsychology, Neuropsychiatry and other areas within the domain of Brain and Behaviour.

Collaborative learning as educational strategy for deaf children

Proceedings of the XVIII International Conference on Human Computer Interaction, 2017

The education of people with disabilities requires special attention and the use of teaching and ... more The education of people with disabilities requires special attention and the use of teaching and learning strategies that can be adapted to every particular disability. This study focuses on the education of deaf children as part of a larger project that aims to mix teaching strategies like Logogenia and Fitzgerald Key with interactive storytelling and collaborative learning to support literacy teaching to these children. Since deaf people learn using the visual channel as main input, we believe that technology could play a key role in the development of such environments where user interfaces should be specifically designed to attract children's attention. * We conducted a systematic literature review in order to find what researchers have done to apply Collaborative or Cooperative Learning in the education of deaf children and also what kind of emerging technologies are used to enhance collaborative environments. A total of 229 studies were found in 7 different databases. The results of this study show that Collaborative Learning has been used along with different kinds of technology in the education of deaf people with positive outcomes like improving skills in sign language, literacy and communication.

State of the Art of Methods for the User Analysis and Description of Context of Use

Wat deed deze BN-er? Een Nederlandse Beroemde Gezichten Taak

Neuropraxis, 2005

Dit artikel gaat over een Nederlandse Beroemde Gezichten Taak (BGT). Bij een BGT moet de patiënt ... more Dit artikel gaat over een Nederlandse Beroemde Gezichten Taak (BGT). Bij een BGT moet de patiënt of proefpersoon beroemde gezichten thuisbrengen. De taak is bedoeld om geheugenverlies voor algemene kennis (semantische amnesie) op te sporen en de omvang ervan in kaart te brengen. Veel in de literatuur te vinden BGT's schieten daarbij echter tekort omdat zij geen rekening houden met de mogelijke aanwezigheid van een spraakstoornis en de mogelijkheid dat de patiënt zijn geheugenverlies simuleert. Wij construeerden een Nederlandse BGT, die met deze twee punten wél rekening probeert te houden. Naar onze mening kan deze taak zinvol worden ingezet bij diagnostisch onderzoek naar geheugenklachten. De Nederlandse BGT is via onze website www.psychology.unimaas.nl/Base/research/Psychology&law.htm te downloaden.

The efficiency of using everyday technological devices by older adults: the role of cognitive functions

Ageing and Society, 2009

ABSTRACTOlder adults experience more problems than younger people when using everyday technologic... more ABSTRACTOlder adults experience more problems than younger people when using everyday technological devices such as personal computers, automatic teller machines and microwave ovens. Such problems may have serious consequences for the autonomy of older adults since the ability to use technology is becoming essential in everyday life. One potential cause of these difficulties is age-related decline of cognitive functions. To test the role of cognitive abilities in performing technological tasks, we designed the Technological Transfer Test (TTT). This new and ecologically valid test comprises eight technological tasks that are common in modern life (operating a CD player, a telephone, an ATM, a train-ticket vending machine, a microwave-oven, an alarm clock, a smart card charging device and a telephone voice menu). The TTT and a comprehensive battery of cognitive tests were administered to 236 healthy adults aged 64–75 years on two separate occasions. The results demonstrated that the ...

The ‘Relay Ideation’ Technique: Moving from Problem Understanding to Problem Solving in the Design Process

Human-Computer Interaction – INTERACT 2013, 2013

When describing the design process in product innovation, many authors identify phases that can b... more When describing the design process in product innovation, many authors identify phases that can be described as 'problem analysis' and 'generating ideas'. Several techniques are available to support design teams in each of these phases, but it remains a challenge to move from understanding a problem to coming up with ideas for concepts that might solve the problem. In addition, some of these techniques have counterproductive social side effects, which in fact may impede creativity in a design team. In this paper we describe a new technique for product idea generation called the 'relay ideation' technique. This technique was developed to help design teams move from understanding a problem to thinking creatively and concretely about the problem in order to generate concepts for innovative products or services. The technique is illustrated with a case study about IT applications for hearing-impaired children.

Can Design Teachers Evaluate Students’ Products from an End-User Point-of-View?

Advances in Social and Organizational Factors

The purpose of design education is to teach future designers to create products that fulfil the n... more The purpose of design education is to teach future designers to create products that fulfil the needs, wishes and expectations of the targeted users. Therefore, it seems reasonable that teachers in design education should have knowledge on how users experience products and apply this in the evaluation of design assignments. The question is whether ‘teachers are able to estimate the user experience?’. To answer this question the correlation between the assessment of products done by users and by teachers is analysed, by assessing 76 products designed by students. The teachers assessment correlated strongly to the assessment done by a jury of end users, (ρ = 0.743, α < 0.000), if the products designed for general target groups (i.e. adults between 18 and 65 years of age without special disabilities or very specific problems and needs). However, no correlation was found between the assessment of teachers and a jury of end users of products designed for people with disabilities or ve...

Methods of the design process: an inventory

Ergonomics, usability and user-centred design are principles that are well known among designers.... more Ergonomics, usability and user-centred design are principles that are well known among designers. Yet designers often seem to fail to meet the users' needs, designing things people don't understand or know how to use. To have a clear view on the causes of this failure it is necessary to know what steps designers take during the design process. This research aimed to understand the methods used by designers in practice during the design process. A total of 151 design cases of students in product design were analysed.

Challenges in doing participatory design with people with dementia

Proceedings of the 13th Participatory Design Conference on Short Papers, Industry Cases, Workshop Descriptions, Doctoral Consortium papers, and Keynote abstracts - PDC '14 - volume 2, 2014

This paper critically looks at the role of people with dementia (and their network) when involved... more This paper critically looks at the role of people with dementia (and their network) when involved in a participatory design (PD) process and the role of designers when involving a person with dementia (and their network). Two participatory projects (ATOM and Dementia Lab) were analyzed and challenges in doing PD together with people with dementia are defined.

Exploring the Potential for a Consolidated Standard for Reporting Guidelines for Qualitative Research

International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 2015

Background: Consolidating a standard for reporting qualitative research remains a challenging end... more Background: Consolidating a standard for reporting qualitative research remains a challenging endeavor, given the variety of different paradigms that steer qualitative research as well as the broad range of designs, and techniques for data collection and analysis that one could opt for when conducting qualitative research. Method: A total of 18 experts in qualitative research participated in an argument Delphi approach to explore the arguments that would plead for or against the development and use of reporting guidelines (RGs) for qualitative research and to generate opinions on what may need to be considered in the further development or further refinement of RGs for qualitative research. Findings: The potential to increase quality and accountability of qualitative research was identified as one of the core benefits of RGs for different target groups, including students. Experts in our pilot study seem to resist a fixed, extensive list of criteria. They emphasize the importance of...

The digital workbook; using web 2.0 for generative research purposes

Proceedings of the 9th international conference on Human computer interaction with mobile devices and services - MobileHCI '07, 2007

If we want future products and services to be designed for a specific target group, we need to as... more If we want future products and services to be designed for a specific target group, we need to assess the latent needs of this target group. Assessing these needs can be done using generative research techniques. This paper describes the development of the digital workbook, a digital tool to be used in the sensitizing stage of a contextmapping study, a methodology for generative research. Evaluation of the digital workbook shows the great potential of using the possibilities of web 2.0 to create digital research tools which combine the size and low costs of online surveys with the richness of data provided by generative research methods.

Actual use of Computers and the Internet by Older Adults

Internet Use and Information Access Needs, 2013

Improving autonomy and quality of life for older adults has become an increasingly important aim ... more Improving autonomy and quality of life for older adults has become an increasingly important aim of gerontological research. Computer and Internet applications hold great promise to maintain autonomy and increase quality of life. This chapter focuses on the impact of computer and Internet use on several aspects of quality of life and autonomy of older adults. It is based on an intervention program that included concise computer training and the use of a computer and the Internet for twelve months. The results of this randomized, controlled study showed no effects, neither positive nor negative, of computer and Internet use on cognitive functioning, autonomy, well-being and social network, the use of everyday technological devices, and subjective physical functioning. Overall, it was concluded that computer and Internet usage by healthy older adults is a safe activity, albeit with no robust advantage for cognitive capacity in healthy older adults.

Applying the CHECk tool to participatory design sessions with children

Proceedings of the 2014 conference on Interaction design and children, 2014

To encourage ethical practices in participatory design with children the CHECk tool was created. ... more To encourage ethical practices in participatory design with children the CHECk tool was created. This paper reports on an expert review of the CHECk tool and a validating case study. Four main challenges to the CHECk tool are identified: (1) how to inform children on the research and their role herein, (2) distinguishing between project values and designer or researcher's personal values, (3) accounting for the dynamic nature and social constructedness of values in design, and (4) the emergence of values in all stakeholders including child design partners. We advocate complementing CHECk with interactive storytelling and show how this narrative can be used to not only inform participation and achieve ethical symmetry, but also to negotiate values with child design partners.

The effects of computers and Internet usage on everyday functioning and well-being of older adults: A randomized controlled study

Gerontechnology, 2005

Playing with a pet robot 'Paro' causes activation of brain cortical neurons of demented patients,... more Playing with a pet robot 'Paro' causes activation of brain cortical neurons of demented patients, and this efficacy was quantitatively confirmed by DIMENSION which is based on 21ch EEG analysis. The patients were treated by 20-min robot therapy followed by 2-hour art therapy. Positive efficacy of the art therapy was already confirmed by DIMENSION and Efficacy of robot therapy evaluated by DIMENSION

Computer anxiety in older adults with no computer experience: Predictors and the effects of computer training and Internet usage in a randomized controlled study

Page 101. 101 Chapter 8 Computer anxiety in older adults with no computer experience: Predictors ... more

Modelling the user

Using Personas to capture Assistive Technology Needs of People with Disabilities

Inclusion, exclusion and social media: IT-based initiatives and future opportunities

Abstract: This paper focuses on IT-based and more specifically social media-based initiatives for... more

User-centred guidelines for children's reading comprehension tools

Inclusion, exclusion and social media: ICT-based initiatives and future opportunities

Abstract The research described in the current paper is part of a Belgian research project called... more

Succesful cognitive aging : the use of computers and the internet to support autonomy in later life

Neuropsych Publishers is a non-profit organization, which aims at promoting the science of 'Brain... more Neuropsych Publishers is a non-profit organization, which aims at promoting the science of 'Brain and Behaviour' and improving the application of the products of this science in health care and education. Neurpsych Publishers accomplishes these aims by publishing books, dissertations and other products of scientific activity, by disseminating educational materials and publications of tests, assessment scales and other psychometric instruments in the field of Neuropsychology, Neuropsychiatry and other areas within the domain of Brain and Behaviour.

Collaborative learning as educational strategy for deaf children

Proceedings of the XVIII International Conference on Human Computer Interaction, 2017

The education of people with disabilities requires special attention and the use of teaching and ... more The education of people with disabilities requires special attention and the use of teaching and learning strategies that can be adapted to every particular disability. This study focuses on the education of deaf children as part of a larger project that aims to mix teaching strategies like Logogenia and Fitzgerald Key with interactive storytelling and collaborative learning to support literacy teaching to these children. Since deaf people learn using the visual channel as main input, we believe that technology could play a key role in the development of such environments where user interfaces should be specifically designed to attract children's attention. * We conducted a systematic literature review in order to find what researchers have done to apply Collaborative or Cooperative Learning in the education of deaf children and also what kind of emerging technologies are used to enhance collaborative environments. A total of 229 studies were found in 7 different databases. The results of this study show that Collaborative Learning has been used along with different kinds of technology in the education of deaf people with positive outcomes like improving skills in sign language, literacy and communication.

State of the Art of Methods for the User Analysis and Description of Context of Use

Wat deed deze BN-er? Een Nederlandse Beroemde Gezichten Taak

Neuropraxis, 2005

Dit artikel gaat over een Nederlandse Beroemde Gezichten Taak (BGT). Bij een BGT moet de patiënt ... more Dit artikel gaat over een Nederlandse Beroemde Gezichten Taak (BGT). Bij een BGT moet de patiënt of proefpersoon beroemde gezichten thuisbrengen. De taak is bedoeld om geheugenverlies voor algemene kennis (semantische amnesie) op te sporen en de omvang ervan in kaart te brengen. Veel in de literatuur te vinden BGT's schieten daarbij echter tekort omdat zij geen rekening houden met de mogelijke aanwezigheid van een spraakstoornis en de mogelijkheid dat de patiënt zijn geheugenverlies simuleert. Wij construeerden een Nederlandse BGT, die met deze twee punten wél rekening probeert te houden. Naar onze mening kan deze taak zinvol worden ingezet bij diagnostisch onderzoek naar geheugenklachten. De Nederlandse BGT is via onze website www.psychology.unimaas.nl/Base/research/Psychology&law.htm te downloaden.

The efficiency of using everyday technological devices by older adults: the role of cognitive functions

Ageing and Society, 2009

ABSTRACTOlder adults experience more problems than younger people when using everyday technologic... more ABSTRACTOlder adults experience more problems than younger people when using everyday technological devices such as personal computers, automatic teller machines and microwave ovens. Such problems may have serious consequences for the autonomy of older adults since the ability to use technology is becoming essential in everyday life. One potential cause of these difficulties is age-related decline of cognitive functions. To test the role of cognitive abilities in performing technological tasks, we designed the Technological Transfer Test (TTT). This new and ecologically valid test comprises eight technological tasks that are common in modern life (operating a CD player, a telephone, an ATM, a train-ticket vending machine, a microwave-oven, an alarm clock, a smart card charging device and a telephone voice menu). The TTT and a comprehensive battery of cognitive tests were administered to 236 healthy adults aged 64–75 years on two separate occasions. The results demonstrated that the ...

The ‘Relay Ideation’ Technique: Moving from Problem Understanding to Problem Solving in the Design Process

Human-Computer Interaction – INTERACT 2013, 2013

When describing the design process in product innovation, many authors identify phases that can b... more When describing the design process in product innovation, many authors identify phases that can be described as 'problem analysis' and 'generating ideas'. Several techniques are available to support design teams in each of these phases, but it remains a challenge to move from understanding a problem to coming up with ideas for concepts that might solve the problem. In addition, some of these techniques have counterproductive social side effects, which in fact may impede creativity in a design team. In this paper we describe a new technique for product idea generation called the 'relay ideation' technique. This technique was developed to help design teams move from understanding a problem to thinking creatively and concretely about the problem in order to generate concepts for innovative products or services. The technique is illustrated with a case study about IT applications for hearing-impaired children.

Can Design Teachers Evaluate Students’ Products from an End-User Point-of-View?

Advances in Social and Organizational Factors

The purpose of design education is to teach future designers to create products that fulfil the n... more The purpose of design education is to teach future designers to create products that fulfil the needs, wishes and expectations of the targeted users. Therefore, it seems reasonable that teachers in design education should have knowledge on how users experience products and apply this in the evaluation of design assignments. The question is whether ‘teachers are able to estimate the user experience?’. To answer this question the correlation between the assessment of products done by users and by teachers is analysed, by assessing 76 products designed by students. The teachers assessment correlated strongly to the assessment done by a jury of end users, (ρ = 0.743, α < 0.000), if the products designed for general target groups (i.e. adults between 18 and 65 years of age without special disabilities or very specific problems and needs). However, no correlation was found between the assessment of teachers and a jury of end users of products designed for people with disabilities or ve...

Methods of the design process: an inventory

Ergonomics, usability and user-centred design are principles that are well known among designers.... more Ergonomics, usability and user-centred design are principles that are well known among designers. Yet designers often seem to fail to meet the users' needs, designing things people don't understand or know how to use. To have a clear view on the causes of this failure it is necessary to know what steps designers take during the design process. This research aimed to understand the methods used by designers in practice during the design process. A total of 151 design cases of students in product design were analysed.

Challenges in doing participatory design with people with dementia

Proceedings of the 13th Participatory Design Conference on Short Papers, Industry Cases, Workshop Descriptions, Doctoral Consortium papers, and Keynote abstracts - PDC '14 - volume 2, 2014

This paper critically looks at the role of people with dementia (and their network) when involved... more This paper critically looks at the role of people with dementia (and their network) when involved in a participatory design (PD) process and the role of designers when involving a person with dementia (and their network). Two participatory projects (ATOM and Dementia Lab) were analyzed and challenges in doing PD together with people with dementia are defined.

Exploring the Potential for a Consolidated Standard for Reporting Guidelines for Qualitative Research

International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 2015

Background: Consolidating a standard for reporting qualitative research remains a challenging end... more Background: Consolidating a standard for reporting qualitative research remains a challenging endeavor, given the variety of different paradigms that steer qualitative research as well as the broad range of designs, and techniques for data collection and analysis that one could opt for when conducting qualitative research. Method: A total of 18 experts in qualitative research participated in an argument Delphi approach to explore the arguments that would plead for or against the development and use of reporting guidelines (RGs) for qualitative research and to generate opinions on what may need to be considered in the further development or further refinement of RGs for qualitative research. Findings: The potential to increase quality and accountability of qualitative research was identified as one of the core benefits of RGs for different target groups, including students. Experts in our pilot study seem to resist a fixed, extensive list of criteria. They emphasize the importance of...

The digital workbook; using web 2.0 for generative research purposes

Proceedings of the 9th international conference on Human computer interaction with mobile devices and services - MobileHCI '07, 2007

If we want future products and services to be designed for a specific target group, we need to as... more If we want future products and services to be designed for a specific target group, we need to assess the latent needs of this target group. Assessing these needs can be done using generative research techniques. This paper describes the development of the digital workbook, a digital tool to be used in the sensitizing stage of a contextmapping study, a methodology for generative research. Evaluation of the digital workbook shows the great potential of using the possibilities of web 2.0 to create digital research tools which combine the size and low costs of online surveys with the richness of data provided by generative research methods.

Actual use of Computers and the Internet by Older Adults

Internet Use and Information Access Needs, 2013

Improving autonomy and quality of life for older adults has become an increasingly important aim ... more Improving autonomy and quality of life for older adults has become an increasingly important aim of gerontological research. Computer and Internet applications hold great promise to maintain autonomy and increase quality of life. This chapter focuses on the impact of computer and Internet use on several aspects of quality of life and autonomy of older adults. It is based on an intervention program that included concise computer training and the use of a computer and the Internet for twelve months. The results of this randomized, controlled study showed no effects, neither positive nor negative, of computer and Internet use on cognitive functioning, autonomy, well-being and social network, the use of everyday technological devices, and subjective physical functioning. Overall, it was concluded that computer and Internet usage by healthy older adults is a safe activity, albeit with no robust advantage for cognitive capacity in healthy older adults.

Applying the CHECk tool to participatory design sessions with children

Proceedings of the 2014 conference on Interaction design and children, 2014

To encourage ethical practices in participatory design with children the CHECk tool was created. ... more To encourage ethical practices in participatory design with children the CHECk tool was created. This paper reports on an expert review of the CHECk tool and a validating case study. Four main challenges to the CHECk tool are identified: (1) how to inform children on the research and their role herein, (2) distinguishing between project values and designer or researcher's personal values, (3) accounting for the dynamic nature and social constructedness of values in design, and (4) the emergence of values in all stakeholders including child design partners. We advocate complementing CHECk with interactive storytelling and show how this narrative can be used to not only inform participation and achieve ethical symmetry, but also to negotiate values with child design partners.

The effects of computers and Internet usage on everyday functioning and well-being of older adults: A randomized controlled study

Gerontechnology, 2005

Playing with a pet robot 'Paro' causes activation of brain cortical neurons of demented patients,... more Playing with a pet robot 'Paro' causes activation of brain cortical neurons of demented patients, and this efficacy was quantitatively confirmed by DIMENSION which is based on 21ch EEG analysis. The patients were treated by 20-min robot therapy followed by 2-hour art therapy. Positive efficacy of the art therapy was already confirmed by DIMENSION and Efficacy of robot therapy evaluated by DIMENSION

Computer anxiety in older adults with no computer experience: Predictors and the effects of computer training and Internet usage in a randomized controlled study

Page 101. 101 Chapter 8 Computer anxiety in older adults with no computer experience: Predictors ... more

Modelling the user

Using Personas to capture Assistive Technology Needs of People with Disabilities

Inclusion, exclusion and social media: IT-based initiatives and future opportunities

Abstract: This paper focuses on IT-based and more specifically social media-based initiatives for... more

User-centred guidelines for children's reading comprehension tools

Inclusion, exclusion and social media: ICT-based initiatives and future opportunities

Abstract The research described in the current paper is part of a Belgian research project called... more