MARE540 Active and Assisted Living

Contents and structure

This course explores current and new ways of assessing needs and using products, devices, assistive and information technologies, and design to support healthy ageing and rehabilitation in various settings globally. Awareness, availability, affordability, accessibility of appropriate devices, technologies and design in various contexts will be critically examined. Attention will also be paid to resource mobilisation and innovation processes such as digitisation and its role in active and assisted living including gamification, self-tracking, telehealth, self-assessment, and self-management. The course also examines universal design as an approach to creating accessible and supportive environments for seniors. The course provides an overview of the WHO flagship program - Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE) that was launched in partnership with UN Agencies, international organisations, donor agencies, professional organisations, academia, and user organisations.

Learning Outcome

A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:
The student...

• has advanced knowledge of how to assess and document the needs for assistive technologies to support healthy ageing and rehabilitation
• has advanced knowledge of available assistive and information technologies to support healthy ageing and rehabilitation
• has thorough knowledge of universal design and the WHO GATE program as possible strategies for promotion of age friendly and inclusive environments
• has ability to apply their knowledge of technologies by analyzing various options and proposing the most adequate and feasible solutions to support wellbeing in ageing in various contexts, levels of services, organizational models and countries

Skills:
The student...

• can critically examine available technologies and propose the most adequate one for the specific situation, taking into considerations client`s needs, characteristics of environment, affordability and sustainability
• can undertake research on the needs for, opportunities and challenges of various technologies and provide advice on available technologies
• can advocate on behalf of clients, from community- to policy level, to improve their access to appropriate, high-quality and affordable technologies

General competence:
The student...

• can analyse relevant issues related to information and assistive technologies from various perspectives and as applied to various contexts (e.g. clinical, administrative, policy, research, etc.)
• can apply knowledge of information and assistive technologies and their applicability and usability in new environments (e.g. new country or different level of service) and carry out advanced interprofessional initiatives
• can communicate clearly results of independent and team work related to information and assistive technologies to various audiences

Entry requirements

Admitted as exchange student from a partner institution to an elective course, with same admission criteria as to Master in Healthy Ageing and Rehabilitation.

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Teaching methods

Online

• Synchronous sessions
• Asynchronous learning activities
• Individual and group work
• Supervision

Compulsory learning activities

The following course requirements must be fulfilled in order to take the exam:

1. Participation in online discussions/activities (50%)
2. Synchronous team presentation (power point, podcast, video, poster, brochure)
3. Literature review on a selected topic relevant for the course (500 words +/- 10%)
4. Commentary on the needs for, opportunities and challenges of various technologies in a specific context (500 words +/- 10%)

Fulfilled course requirements are valid for four subsequent semesters. 

Assessment

Individual portfolio consists of new versions:

• Literature review on a selected topic relevant for the course (1300 words +/- 10%)
• Commentary on the needs for, opportunities and challenges of various technologies in a specific context (700 words +/- 10%)

The portfolio has to be submitted as one document. All papers must be delivered in order to get the portfolio assessed. There will be no weighting of individual papers, but a holistic assessment of the whole portfolio. However, all papers must be passed in order to get the portfolio passed.

Grading scale: 
The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.

New exam: 
When the grade F (not passed) is given, the student can improve their portfolio and hand in the whole portfolio for the new exam.

Examination support material

No limitations

More about examination support material