Title: Building collective memories on the web: the Nostalgia Bits project

Authors: Luca Morganti; Giuseppe Riva; Silvio Bonfiglio; Andrea Gaggioli

Addresses: Istituto Auxologico Italiano, ATNP-Lab, Via Pellizza da Volpedo 41, 20149, Milano, Italy ' Istituto Auxologico Italiano, ATNP-Lab, Via Pellizza da Volpedo 41, 20149, Milano, Italy ' FIMI S.r.l., Via Saul Banfi 1, 21047, Saronno, Varese, Italy ' Istituto Auxologico Italiano, ATNP-Lab, Via Pellizza da Volpedo 41, 20149, Milano, Italy

Abstract: The Nostalgia Bits (NoBits) project aims at fostering interaction between elderly and children through collecting memories. A web-based platform will be developed to allow tangible artefacts of an elderly person's life experience to become a resource to other generations and to connect the elderly users with members of their own generation. Here, we describe the results of a user needs analysis conducted by focus groups and questionnaires with end-users. The sample comprised 23 elderly (M = 65.83 SD = 6.32) and 310 children (M = 11.29 SD = 2.28). The findings were expanded through other two focus groups - one with ten elderly (M = 67.30 SD = 4.30) and one with 11 children (M = 12.45 SD = 1.21) - to obtain specific data for the development of a website based upon the suggestions collected through this user needs analysis. Results showed that both samples accepted the NoBits concept and that supporting collaborative reminiscing with social media is a promising approach to increase cross-generational interactions and mentoring.

Keywords: reminiscing system; ambient assisted living; cross-generational communication; social networks; web based communities; collective memories; virtual communities; online communities; elderly; reminiscences; children; old people; nostalgia; social media; social networking; user needs analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWBC.2013.051373

International Journal of Web Based Communities, 2013 Vol.9 No.1, pp.83 - 104

Published online: 30 Jan 2014 *

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