Dennis Kappen, PhD., Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology The motivation, according to Dennis, behind any research should be about nuanced problem definitions, understanding the problem and designing based on evidence. Here is a short overview of the PhD research that Dennis conducted, a collaborative endeavour that required research ethics application approvals from both Humber College and Ontario Tech University (UOIT). Dennis accords thanks to the massive support he received from Humber, including the utilization of resources like the Live Labs and the cross-discipline between the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology and Faculty of Media & Creative Arts to materialize the triumphant result emerging from what he calls ‘organized chaos’.
Technology Facilitates Physical Activity Through Gamification: A Thematic Analysis of an 8-Week Study Dennis informs, “Our paper studied the usage of gamification elements over an 8-week period in the context of older adults’ physical activity (PA). Thematic Analysis of the interview data showed distinct variations in emergent themes for three groups, indicating that gamification elements can be customized to participants for the 50+ age group and tailored to suit their current health conditions and prevalent barriers, thus facilitating adaptive engagement in PA. The emergent themes, motivational affordances and design guidelines are valuable for researchers and designers of PA technology and will help to advance the development of gamified PA technology for older adults.”
36 2020 PRESIDENT’S AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Dennis Kappen, PhD., Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/BLUESROAD
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Research helps us understand the fundamental human values which serve as a starting point to define evidencebased strategies for improving human lifestyle through design.”
