| Title |
A Study on the User-Centered Digital Home Design through the Analysis of Senior Adults' Digital Literacy |
| Keywords |
Digital Home ; Digital Literacy ; Digital Home Services ; Senior Adults |
| Abstract |
The purpose of this research is to define digital home design criteria through the analysis of senior adults' digital literacy and needs. The study has been accomplished by reviewing the research processes and results and then surveying the users’ needs. The subjects were 305 healthy and computer-literate senior adults aged from 45 to 78 years of age in Busan. They answered questions on digital literacy, digital home services, and their preferred layout of a digital home. The findings are as follows: (1) The research processes and results of the project groups for the digital services were classified into several categories. Digital literacy for the digital home design was defined as the communication skills and the competencies of daily life in a digital society. (2) All of the subjects over 65 and the females subjects from 55 to 64 were of low economic status and made use of the computer and internet within the restricted extents. (3) The factors of digital literacy were categorized as "network literacy," "hypermedia literacy," "computer literacy," "information literacy" and "on-line game literacy." The subjects were good at computer literacy and e-mailing. Their digital literacy also seemed to be improved through learning. (4) The subjects preferred digital home services of safety and healthcare more than those of comfort and entertainment. Additionally, they required digital services that contribute to the social and emotional relationships and healthcare. (5) Most of the subjects indicated that the living room would be the central place in the digital home and that a healthcare space, PC room, or media room would also be required. For a small portion of the elderly and female subjects, the bedroom or kitchen should be planned as a central place. |