Innovative Interactions With Older Users
By Syme, A.; Newell, A.; Eisma, R.; 2003 International Conference on Aging, Disability, and Independence, pp. 166-167Publication Date: May 2004
Paper discusses the Usable Technology for Older People: Inclusive and Appropriate (UTOPIA) project, which focuses on encouraging effective user involvement in the research and development of technologies for older adults. Researchers explored several areas of interest to determine how technology could most effectively be applied to older adults with different abilities, needs, and wants. One example of an intervention utilized in the project is a computer games workshop, which had three main goals: (1) to test an adapted method of a focus group by allowing older adults with some computer experience, but no computer game experience to explore different computer games in a hands-on workshop, (2) to gain information on older computer user’s interaction with unfamiliar interfaces, such as game elements, tutorials, and style preferences, and (3) to elicit initial perceptions of computer games by older adults. Eleven older adults participated in the intervention, as six stations with six different computer games so that the participants could choose and play the games. A researcher/facilitator observed the participants and recorded their interactions with the games. Self-report methods were also utilized in order to gauge the participants’ degree of involvement and enjoyment of the intervention. Interviews with participants yielded positive commends in regards to the interventions, as there was a significant difference in their perception of the games before and after the workshop.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology for Successful Aging (RERC-Tech-Aging) (Website:http://www.phhp.ufl.edu/centers/rerc.htm)
ISBN: 0-9754783-0-3
