Sergio Sayago – författare

This book promotes a critical reflection about the research conducted so far in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with older people, whose predominant perspective focuses on decline, health, and help. It introduces a new (or different) perspective, which is grounded in interdisciplinary research on older people and digital technologies.

Key elements are to (i) address topics that include, but also go beyond decline, health, and help, such as leisure, fun, creativity and culture, to delve more deeply into the role of digital technologies in multiple facets of older people’s lives; (ii) focus on doing research and designing technologies with and for older adults, and their communities, to avoid and fight against negative social conceptions of ageing; and (iii) examine older people’s life course, strengths, interests, and values, as well as their limitations and needs, to design technologies that not only help but also empower them, extending their abilities and acquiring new knowledge, beyond technology use. This perspective aims to help us better understand, design, and evaluate older people’s interactions with digital technologies in the early 21st century.

This edited book provides some future perspectives on Human-Computer Interaction research and serves as a crucial nexus for reflecting on the paths that have led us here. Technologies are increasingly becoming active agents capable of learning, adapting, and making decisions. The classic User-Centred Design approach that positions the user strictly at the centre may no longer suffice. Putting the human-in-the-loop are crucial elements for trusting AI technologies and building better, more human-centred, ones.

Offering a comprehensive overview of current research and future directions in this field it addresses important topics such as Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence, Augmented and Virtual Reality, User-Centred Design, and Children-Computer Interaction, providing insights into how these areas will continue to influence and transform our interaction with technologies. The chapters are enriched with case studies and examples that illustrate the practical application of methodological approaches and ideas.

The book provides a systemic view of the state-of-the- art of Digital Game Based Learning (DGBL) across the lifespan, from age-specific game design requirements to technological devices that could overcome child and older adult difficulties in the use of DGBL technologies. Other topics include cross-generational digital game-based learning, workplace gaming, exergaming, serious games to tackle societal challenges,and implications of DGBL across the lifespan for game designers.

In addition to the state-of-the-art methodologies provided for age-specific gamedesign, development, implementation and assessment, a significant portion of the book focuses on case studies where DGBL have been designed and implemented in every age groups and in cross-generational situations.