Title: Integrating children's contributions in the interaction design process

Authors: Emanuela Mazzone; Ruut Tikkanen; Janet C. Read; Netta Iivari; Russell Beale

Addresses: Child Computer Interaction Group, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK ' Department of Educational Sciences and Teacher Education, University of Oulu, P.O. BOX 4400, Oulu 90014, Finland ' Child Computer Interaction Group, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK ' Department of Information Processing Science, University of Oulu, P.O. BOX 3000, Oulu 90014, Finland ' Advanced Interaction Group, School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

Abstract: In this paper, we describe three studies for the design of a hand-held music device for children. The studies involved researchers from different disciplines and children from different schools. We reflected on what happened during the design activities. And we looked at the outputs produced by the children in order to understand the feasibility of the activities that were included in the design sessions from two perspectives: whether they contributed to the design of the product – termed their capability – and whether they suitably involved children in the process – called their suitability. We then report on how children's ideas were selected and integrated into the product design through iterative cycles of testing and refinements. This description of the process prompted the discussion on the involvement of children and their ideas throughout the whole process, its benefit and difficulties that could be applicable to a wide variety of design contexts with children.

Keywords: design methods; school children; design requirements; participatory design; interaction design process; music interfaces; handheld music devices; handheld devices; product design; child involvement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJART.2012.046279

International Journal of Arts and Technology, 2012 Vol.5 No.2/3/4, pp.319 - 346

Published online: 27 Nov 2014 *

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