Open University of Catalonia

About: Open University of Catalonia is a education organization based out in Barcelona, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Higher education. The organization has 1943 authors who have published 4646 publications receiving 64200 citations. The organization is also known as: Universitat Oberta de Catalunya & UOC.

Structural Ageism in Big Data Approaches

Abstract: Digital systems can track every activity. Their logs are the fundamental raw material of intelligent systems in big data approaches. However, big data approaches mainly use predictions and correlations that often fail in the prediction of minorities or invisibilize collectives, causing discriminatory decisions. While this discrimination has been documented regarding, sex, race and sexual orientation, age has received less attention. A critical review of the academic literature confirms that structural ageism also shapes big data approaches. The article identifies some instances in which ageism is in operation either implicitly or explicitly. Concretely, biased samples and biased tools tend to exclude the habits, interests and values of older people from algorithms and studies, which contributes to reinforcing structural ageism.

How elders evaluate apps: A contribution to the study of smartphones and to the analysis of the usefulness and accessibility of ICTS for older adults

Abstract: Elders are an important part of this society and a group for which ICTs might provide useful answers to existing problems and needs. However, elders and their interests with regard to ICTs have been largely ignored due to a presupposed missing ability to use, a general disinterest in, and a lack of will to learn about ICT developments. This article wants to contribute to the debate about elders and their abilities to use and interests in ICTs. We analysed how elders in focus groups in Spain use mobile ICT applications, how they experiment with them and why they decide to use or not to use them. In our research, we have used apps as an example for ICTs because apps are considered to be flagships for technological innovation, and because, in contrast to call and messenger functions of mobile phones, the motivation for using apps has to come from the individual that uses them. Findings from 4 focus group discussions with elders from Spain suggest that age does not directly influence the perception of, experi...

Why Age Is Not that Important? An Ageing Perspective on Computer Anxiety

Abstract: We analyze the influence of age on mobile computer anxiety in a sample of 158 individuals 55+ by means of path analysis modeling Taking as the endogenous variable a mobile computer anxiety scale MCAS, Wang 2007, models include demographic and socioeconomic variables and a computer experience scale --- based on the familiarity and frequency of use of different information and communication technologies Results confirm a positive influence of age on mobile computer anxiety which is mediated by both socio-economic variables and computer experience The influence of age on mobile computer anxiety is comparatively low Age is not the relevant dimension to explain computer anxiety, as socio-economic background and computer experience have higher explanatory capacity This result may explain the inconsistent results regarding the direct relationship between age and computer anxiety available in the literature

Visualizations of Online Course Interactions for Social Network Learning Analytics

Abstract: Social network learning analytics aims to extract useful information to improve the learning process, but the variety of learning management systems makes this task burdensome and difficult to manage. This study shows how Gephi, a general-purpose, open-source social network analysis application, can be used by instructors and institutions to extract and visualize relevant information that is commonly hidden or difficult to observe for course coordinators and teachers. The empirical case study uses data from one cross-curricular course with 656 students at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC) and showcases the use of Gephi as a social network learning analytics tool. The study further discusses the potential of social network learning analytics to improve online instruction by visualization of educational data.