Reading:
Introducing… D.Lit!

Image

Introducing… D.Lit!

April 13, 2023

Over the past few months, something’s been cooking in SpudnikLab’s laboratory. It’s called ‘D.Lit’ and… it’s awesome! 

What is D.Lit, anyway? 

D.Lit (short for ‘Digital Literacy’), is a fun, interactive toolkit for the elderly to learn how to use their mobile phones. D.lit comes in the form of easy-to-read sized cards with graphics on them. 

Many older people find using digital tools, like various apps, intimidating and confusing. D.Lit is designed to present digital tools in a way that takes away the intimidation factor. The end result? Elderly users gain digital confidence.

IMG 0252 PHOTO Saad Chinoy
D.Lit presents digital tools in a way that takes away the intimidation factor, so elderly users gain digital confidence.

Ok, so how does D.Lit work? 

There are 3 types of D.Lit cards:  

  1. Scenario cards 
  2. Skill cards
  3. the Learning Tracker card

Scenario cards are used to facilitate conversations about the elderly’s concerns about using mobile devices, as well as how some mobile applications could be used to help them in their daily lives.

IMG 2624 scenario card
D.Lit’s Scenario cards present real life situations, and are used to spark conversations about the elderly’s concerns about using digital tools on mobile devices.
IMG 2619 scenario card2
Learners have the opportunity to gain digital skills they are interested in to help with common real life situations.

Then, as the conversation between the facilitator and learner evolves, they will learn a digital skill of their choice using the Skill card.

IMG 2573 Skill card1 1

When they have finished the learning segment, the facilitator will guide them through a reflection exercise on the skill they’ve just learned, and their level of confidence in their competency at this skill. These will be noted down on the Learning Tracker card.

IMG 2611 Learner Tracker Card1
The Learner Tracker card documents the person’s learning journey.

IMG 2617 Learner Tracker Card2

Besides the D.Lit box of cards, what else is needed?

  1. A facilitator (someone with a patient, friendly and warm disposition)  
  2. A quiet, relaxed environment
  3. Tables and chairs 
  4. Writing materials 
  5. Snacks are always a good thing
IMG 2682 everyone likes snacks
Everyone likes snacks!

So what was the process of creating D.Lit?

We created D.Lit with a rapid iterative design process. It involved understanding our target audience through research, ideating and creating prototypes, and playtesting them with our SpudnikLab team and senior digital users. 

With the feedback we received from our playtesters, we refined D.Lit’s design. We’ll be the first to admit that D.Lit is not a perfect product and we hope that as more users interact with it, we’ll receive lots of useful feedback to help us to refine the product further.

Ok, now I’m excited! How can I get D.Lit?

For more information about D.Lit or to organise D.Lit sessions with your friends or community, please contact us at impact@spudniklab.com so we can organise these sessions for you at a low cost. We welcome anyone keen to learn digital skills as a community and we look forward to hearing from you!

 

Related Stories

Collage view with 3rdParty Apps
July 12, 2021

Besides Android and iOS, there’s KaiOS

Android and iOS aren’t the only mobile operating systems out there. There's also KaiOS, launched in 2017, based on open source technologies free for public use, making it possible to bring the internet to more people around the world.

DSC 0029 kaios weekend EDITED
September 17, 2021

I gave up my smartphone for a weekend to use a retro KaiOS feature phone

Could you swap your smartphone for an old skool keypad phone for a weekend? Jamie did and was in for a surprise!

20210717 113847
July 22, 2021

KaiOS smart feature phones come with their own app store with KaiOS apps!

Retro cool KaiOS smart feature phones have their own app store with apps for everything from financial literacy to healthcare information, and of course games!

Arrow-up