Technology and Ageing

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website.

This subject looks at the ways in which recent technological advancements can revolutionise the experience, management and future of ageing. Innovations in how we age are explored from multiple perspectives, including how technology can support autonomy and independent living as well as social connectedness to minimise the isolation common in later life.

The subject offers an introduction to the aged care information technology industry and major products and services. Controversial improvements in assistive technologies are covered, such as robotics and sensors that monitor behaviour and health conditions. Lastly, this subject considers technologies for end-of-life support, for longevity and for regenerative medicine. This subject opens up challenges and possibilities for ageing that have implications for older adults, health practitioners, caregivers, service providers, policymakers and researchers.

On completion of this subject, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an informed understanding of the challenges and opportunities that various technologies bring for the health and wellbeing of older people by critically discussing and analysing recent technological advances.
• Show a critical appreciation of older people’s differing perspectives on how technologies are empowering or disempowering in their social and economic lives based on exploration of real world cases.
• Critically evaluate existing or emerging technology products and services that are designed to be used specifically by older people, their care-givers or aged care providers.

A psychosocial analysis of older people’s experiences of emerging technologies:

• Written critique posted to class discussion forum (500 words), due Week 2 (hurdle)

• Peer review (500 words), due Week 3 (10%)

• Written reflection (1500 words), due Weeks 4-5 (30%)

A sociotechnical evaluation of a technology based aged care product or service:

• Narrated slide presentation posted to class discussion forum (equivalent to 500 words), due Weeks 5-6 (10%)

• Peer review (500 words), due Week 7 (10%)

• Written evaluation report (2000 words), due Week 8 (40%)

Students will have access to electronic copies of relevant readings.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students will be provided with the opportunity to practice and reinforce:

• the ability to identify, analyse and evaluate relevant information
• high level written communication skills
• the ability to work collaboratively with team members
• advanced analytic, integration and problem-solving skills