iSchool
at Drexel Researchers Receive Grants from Nokia for Smart Phone Research
Philadelphia
(September 16, 2010) – These days, the information people seek is right
at their fingertips, literally, through Smart Phone technology. E-mails,
Internet searches, social networking and beyond are all accessible at the click
of a button, available just about any time, anywhere. At The iSchool at
Drexel, College of Information Sciences and Technology, researchers are
investigating how Smart Phones directly impact people’s lives through two
very different studies, funded by the Nokia Research Center.
Michelle Rogers, Ph.D., and
Jennifer Rode, Ph.D., each received $11,600 in grant monies plus equipment
through Nokia’s U.S. University Collaboration funding program to conduct
Smart Phone research. Drexel University is the only institution where two researchers
received grant funding from Nokia for different projects.
Dr. Rogers’ project,
Tracking Observations of Everyday Living with Smart Phones, explores how Smart
Phones can be used to better manage chronic illnesses. Working with the 11th
Street Family Health Services Clinic, a nurse-managed health center operated by
the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions, Dr. Rogers is
developing cell phone-based systems that will help health providers engage
patients in their own care, testing technological support systems that make
patients better aware of their health choices and behaviors between clinic
visits.
“Smart
Phone technology research is important because these phones have served as a
bridge over the ‘digital divide’ – the inequality of access to information technology that
developed because of economic, social and cultural factors,” said Dr.
Rogers. “So while people may not have a home computer, they are now able
to access internet resources – just on a mobile device. It is
important to understand what real-time access allows us to do differently or
uniquely”.”
Dr. Rode’s project, Mobile
Phone Use in Urban Islamic Communities addresses the unique communications
challenges of a transnational Arab community. Dr. Rode’s study will
specifically look at Arab couples in long-distance relationships, with one
partner based in the U.S., and one overseas, and how they use Smart Phone
applications to overcome distance. One of the challenges faced by Arab
Americans who are using primarily Western software is that applications are not
designed to accommodate Arab cultural practice, in addition to infrastructure
barriers in the Arab world. Dr. Rode’s prior research with MSc student
Tamara Alsheikh at University College London has shown that technology and
society are influencing communication practices in this culture, with past
research focusing on computers rather than cell phones. This project will
explore long distance relationships within this community, and how Smart Phone
technology can help improve the quality of these relationships.
Said Dr. Rode of her research:
"I am excited for this opportunity to continue exploring gender and
technology, and to move away from a Western context. Studying the Arab
world will not only allow us to develop better technologies for Arabs, but it
will allow for de-familiarization that will allow us to better understand the
West. Further it gives me a chance to explore gender roles through
technology use in light of Islamic Feminism. Doing so ideally will promote
cross-cultural understanding which is critical at this time."
Founded
in 1892, The iSchool at Drexel educates students in information science and
technology at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels and
features Drexel University’s Cooperative Education program. The
College’s mission is to unite technology, people, and information to make
a fundamental difference in tomorrow’s knowledge society. The iSchool at
Drexel is a founding member of the iSchools Caucus of more than 25 prominent
colleges dedicated to immersing students in the iField — connecting
people, information and technology. For more information visit www.ischool.drexel.edu or call
215.895.1952.