Research with children_case_study

Design recommendations for children’s apps on smart phones & tabletsAugust/September 2011

Angela Collins-Rees & Sylwia Frankowska-Takhari

Summary

This talk discusses the findings from a piece of research around children’s usage of touch-screen devices. The attendees will gain practical recommendations for designing applications for touch screen devices.

Case studies: Cbeebies & CBBC

Duration: about 60 minutes

Overview

1. Background Information2. Methods & Objectives3. Recruitment4. Research Materials5. Top Findings & Recommendations

Background Information

• Touch-screen devices & the under 6’s• Appetite for more focused research at the BBC

Methods and ObjectivesObjectives

• To investigate how the existing young users use ‘their’ touch screen devices & how the non-users embrace the new experience

• To investigate what navigation mechanisms make their experiences with touch screen devices enjoyable and the ones that are problematic

• To inspire development of applications for touch screen devices that would support children’s natural desire to independently explore content regardless of their age and skills

Methods• Depth interviews with parents• Drawing activity & taking photos• Observation

Research environment• Home visits

Recruitment

Participants’ profiles• Children & parents

. Familiarity with touch-screen devices & apps

• Users vs. non-users

Skills• Computer skills• Literacy and numeracy

Research Materials

iPhone Apps• Dress up with Angelina Ballerina• Angry birds• Cooking mama• Match10

iPad Apps• Angelina Ballerina• Angry birds• Cupcake maker• Cut the rope• Glow hockey• Sonic racing

Criteria for selecting the applications • Participants’ age, gender and currently used apps• Basic touch screen gestures

Top Findings & Recommendations

Be aware of how parents’ attitudes may influence their children’s skills and interests; remember to include parents’ profiles in the recruitment brief for any future research.


Ensure that challenges within apps are appropriate to age, interest and skills. You can achieve this by offering a basic linear route for everybody as well as the opportunity for a free-roam experience for the more confident users.This will maximise engagement and opportunity for exploration.


Where possible, consider combining different types of instructions e.g. animation with voice-overs, to enable all children to engage with the activities independently.


Create opportunities to succeed for all users regardless of their skills by allowing the ability to ‘Play again’ or skip through to next option. Where possible, consider incorporating a range of levels that target different skill sets or offering practice sessions.


Implement positive encouragers e.g. a smiley face, stars, thumbs up as well as positive language e.g. ‘Try Again’ rather than ‘You’ve Failed’.


Within an activity, incorporate a variety of touch screen gestures to maintain engagement and minimise fatigue.


Consider creating apps that allow children to include user generated content such as photos and clips to enhance the sense of ownership and engagement.


When designing an app that mimics an activity such as following a recipe, ensure it reflects the logical real-life steps as this increases learning through play.


If you want to appeal to both genders, use neutral colours e.g. green, yellow or ones which do not have such strong associations with gender like e.g. blue and pink.


When building a collaborative activity for parent and child, keep the balance between guidance and equal participation.


Consider the notion of a walled garden approach whereby a safe area is created. App collections and playlists within apps may offer a solution for ensuring online safety.

Thank you!

If you are interested in this talk, please contact us at:

[email protected]

Or else, see other talks in this series on the next slides

mailto:[email protected]

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Research with children_case_study