Engaging with older users

Alan Newell & Maggie MorganQueen Mother Research Centre School of Computing University of Dundee Scotland &MM Training, Dundee

Design and the Digital Divide

Insights from 40 years research into computer support for older and disabled people

Alan Newell Published by Morgan and Claypool Summer 2011

Maggie MorganMM TrainingScript writer theatre director

Leverhulme Artist in Residence,in the School of Computing -2005/2006Continuing freelance involvement in the research, and conference presentations

Technology for older peopleNeeds to be based on:

Effective communication with the user group, Proper requirements gathering,Usability and Beauty.

Developing technology for older people

Study your user population

Design your systems to respond to their needs and wants

What they need ?

A medical model of cureA focus on the disability Patronising designPoor aestheticsIgnorance of any wider context

What they want !A focus on the person Their emotional as well as physical needs AestheticsSelf imagePersonality

Empathetic Design

Design for what older users want - or might want

A primary focus on usersMutual inspiration users and researchers in a creative modeInnovative ways of interacting with usersReal empathy with users

See: www.computing.dundee.ac.uk/staff/afn

The challenges of communicating with users Language and experience barriersjargon, concepts & metaphorsSensory impairmentsLack of trust in technology Overriding desire to pleaseKeeping focus groups focusedTime consumingDifficult to organize

Ethical issues

Negative self imageLack of confidence Self blameOperational anxiety Physical or mental fragilityInformed consent

A user centre

For a cohort of over 200 individuals risingto over 3000

Also work in:Dementia day centres, Residential homes & In home studies.

Wolfson Research Studio Theatre Purpose designed for interactive theatre

The use of theatre for:Facilitating Focus Groups of usersRequirements gathering

Communicating to designers and other professionals User characteristics User experiences Ethnographies

Working with theatre professionalsResearch by script writer iterative discussions with researchers and older users.Dramatic scenarios developed.Scenarios performed by professional actors, on video or live theatre.Facilitated discussions.

The performance

Video scenario + facilitated discussion.Video scenario + actors in role in facilitated discussion.Live interactive theatre

Techniques

Audience asked to analyse actions and motivations of playersHot seating Scripted theatre followed by improvisations directed by the audience

Educational VideosThe UTOPIA TrilogyRelative Confusion, Relatively PC, and others

See:www.computing.dundee.ac.uk/staff/afn

Concept development

Applications of digital interactive television for older people.

A communication system

Advantages for users.Users are engaged in creative activity.Theatre liberates users to be creativeSuspension of disbeliefFuture softwareThe context/environment of use