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Co-Design as Learning: The Differences of Learning When Involving Older People in Digitalization in Four Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Björn Fischer

    (Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden)

  • Britt Östlund

    (Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden)

  • Nicole K. Dalmer

    (Department of Health, Aging and Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M4, Canada)

  • Andrea Rosales

    (Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Universitat Oberta de Catalunya/Open University of Catalonia, 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Alexander Peine

    (Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Eugène Loos

    (School of Governance, Utrecht University, 3511 ZC Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Louis Neven

    (Active Ageing Research Group, Avans University of Applied Sciences, 4800 RA Breda, The Netherlands)

  • Barbara Marshall

    (Sociology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada)

Abstract

Involving older people through co-design has become increasingly attractive as an approach to develop technologies for them. However, less attention has been paid to the internal dynamics and localized socio-material arrangements that enact this method in practice. In this paper, we show how the outcomes that can be achieved with user involvement often pertain to learning, but their content can differ significantly based on how the approach is implemented in practice. Combining explorative, qualitative findings from co-design conducted in four countries (Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden), we illustrate how different types of learning occurred as design workshops engaged the experiences and skills of older people in different ways. Our findings make visible how learning can be a core outcome of co-design activities with older adults, while raising awareness of the role of the power relations and socio-material arrangements that structure these design practices in particular ways. To benefit from the full wealth of insights that can be learned by involving older people, deeper knowledge is needed of the implicit features of design, the materials, meanings, and power aspects involved.

Suggested Citation

  • Björn Fischer & Britt Östlund & Nicole K. Dalmer & Andrea Rosales & Alexander Peine & Eugène Loos & Louis Neven & Barbara Marshall, 2021. "Co-Design as Learning: The Differences of Learning When Involving Older People in Digitalization in Four Countries," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-16, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:11:y:2021:i:2:p:66-:d:578640
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Greenhalgh, Trisha & Wherton, Joe & Sugarhood, Paul & Hinder, Sue & Procter, Rob & Stones, Rob, 2013. "What matters to older people with assisted living needs? A phenomenological analysis of the use and non-use of telehealth and telecare," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 86-94.
    5. Hyysalo, Sampsa, 2009. "Learning for learning economy and social learning," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(5), pages 726-735, June.
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