Conference proceeding
- Theunissen, N.C.M., Emmerik, M., van Berlo, M., van der Beijl, I. (2007). Preparing citizens for emergencies by using ubiquitous learning methods. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 22(1), s122.
Abstract
During the first minutes of an emergency, when no professional rescue workers
have arrived yet, citizens are mainly thrown on their own resources. As a
result, their self-management capabilities directly influence health outcomes
of terrorist attacks or (natural) disasters.
Governments acknowledge the importance of self-management of citizens during
emergencies. However, traditional information campaigns that should motivate
citizens to prepare themselves often seem to fail this goal. One of the underlying
causes might be that these campaigns are seldom adapted to the specific knowledge,
skills and motivation needs of the individual citizens.
Ubiquitous learning principles may be useful in this context. Ubiquitous
learning means ‘learning whenever and wherever you want’ and
is facilitated by a flexible mix of mobile technologies (PDAs, smart phones,
game consoles e.g.) and interactive, adaptive didactical strategies.
Instead of providing everyone with the same information, this approach aims
to offer a wide range of content varying from games and simulations, to checklists,
and elaborate background information. As such, citizens are encouraged to
actively search information or entertainment that matches their interest.
Once downloaded to a mobile device, the information is available even when
networks go down during an emergency and can be used for actual last minute
learning.
During the conference we will demonstrate how these ubiquitous learning principles
may help to increase self-management capabilities of citizens.
Keywords
Preparing; Citizens; Emergencies; Ubiquitous Learning; Mobile Learning;
