Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/238320

Title

Actively engaging older adults in the development and evaluation of tablet technology

Author(s)

Waycott, Jenny;  Pedell, Sonja;  Vetere, Frank;  Ozanne, Elizabeth;  Kulik, Lars;  Gruner, Alan;  Downs, John

Abstract

In this paper we describe a multi-faceted approach for engaging older adults in the design and evaluation of a tablet application. Our approach consisted of five key elements: 1) involving care providers in the research, 2) conducting social events, 3) supporting use of the technology through scaffolding, 4) providing multiple channels of communication between participants and researchers, and 5) progressively revealing the technology functions. We explored this approach with seven participants (aged 71-92) who used a prototype iPad application to engage in peer-to-peer communication. We found that each of the five elements contributed to successfully engaging older people in the development and evaluation process. This paper provides insights into suitable approaches for designing technologies with older users, illustrating the importance of creating a supportive environment and employing strategies that help to build participants' confidence, both in using the technology and in participating in the design and evaluation process.

Publication type

Conference paper

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Design

Source

Proceedings of 'Integration, interaction, innovation, immersion, inclusion', the Annual Conference of the Australian Computer-Human Interaction Special Interest Group (OZCHI 2012), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 26-30 November 2012, pp. 643-652

Publication year

2012

Keyword(s)

Design methods;  Engagement;  Older users;  Social technologies;  Touch tablet applications;  User-centred design

Publisher

ACM

ISBN

9781450314381

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2414536.2414633

Copyright

Copyright © 2012 ACM.

Peer reviewed