The project is funded by the Research Council of Finland (2023–2027, grant number 355063) and is implemented in cooperation with the University of Lapland, the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ and Tampere University.
MediaRoboLit 65+ focuses on the potential challenges of the present mediatized and digitalized information environment for citizens over 65 years of age, who may lack adequate media and robot literacies to support their lifelong learning, well-being, and participation in society. To use the increasing amount of information disseminated through media, citizens need media literacies: competencies in accessing, evaluating, and creating media messages across a variety of contexts. In this project, robots are considered the next new media as they are becoming more popular as providers of information and services. The increasing use of robots requires citizens to have robot literacy, that is, competences to understand and interact with robots.
The scientific objective is to co-produce a novel theoretical conceptualization of media literacies, and new information about the nature, scope, and practices of the media and robot literacies of people 65+ living in Finland and their related instruction and support needs. The most pressing societal need is to understand and support the media and robot literacies of people in the most vulnerable life situations, older people with health issues, illnesses, and disabilities.
JYU team will participate in gathering data via national surveys, and focus group discussions, observations, existing materials, and interviews in care homes. The project’s understanding of media literacies is inspired by sociocultural approaches to literacies and learning, gerontological insights of diversity, and positive aspects and strengths related to old age.
The results of MediaRoboLit 65+ will help decision-makers and stakeholders plan and implement legislation, policies, instructional and support practices, materials, and awareness-raising activities
