Collaborative Memory Technology for Supporting the Care Network

Mike WuUniversity of Toronto

Department of Computer Science

Working with People who have Amnesia

• Care network• Memory system

Memory as Collaborative Processes

Daughter

CloseFriends

Clinician

Volunteers

Mom

Dog

Wife

IMMEDIATEFAMILY

COTA HEALTH

FAMILY & RELATIVES

BrotherFRIENDS PETS

BAYCREST CENTRE

Memory-impaired clients

Volunteers

Person with Amnesia

Cat

Case manager

My Research

Goal: Design a “collaborative memory aid”

1. Study amnesic individuals and caregivers• Is memory composed of collaborative processes?• Participant observations, interviews, …

2. Explore theoretical frameworks for• Describing and explaining observations• Guiding and informing design• Generalizing findings to other cognitive domains

Questions for the Workshop

• Theory-building or adapting a framework

1. What are the criteria that define a valuable theory for designing cognitive technology?

2. Are there consistent ways to adapt theories from related disciplines to account for the deficits and strengths of our population of interest?