About
Avalon is an open-source, publicly available Internet searching application to assist older adults effectively search the Internet for information. Older adults sometimes feel overwhelmed by the amount of information a simple search phrase produces on one screen (e.g., Google or Yahoo search results). In addition, once they select a website search result, they are not sure how to get back to the search engine website to modify their search phrase. These difficulties can be mostly attributed to cognitive declines of the aging population. We are looking at various ways to present information and navigate an Internet search application with reduced cognitive load. We believe that empowering such a large part of the global population to use the Internet will assist them to maintain social connectedness and increase knowledge for years to come.
Publications
- Vivian Phinney, Steven Carroll, Leonid Meltrager, and Katie A. Siek. Avalon: Facilitating the Use of the Internet for Older Adults. Presented at Colorado Celebration of Women in Computing. (pdf)(poster)
- Vivian Phinney, Steven Carroll, Leonid Meltrager, and Katie A. Siek. Avalon: Facilitating the Use of the Internet for Older Adults. Technical Report CU-CS 1041-08. (pdf)
Reports
- Proposal (pdf)
- Human Research Committee Request for Review (pdf)
- Video Clip of Dr. Siek, Vivian, and Lauren working from Dr. Cecilia Pang’s upcoming documentary Great Mothers of Science (mov)
- Prototypes (ppt)