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The Fabrication of Art and Beyond: Making and Inventing in Digital Culture |
Marianne Markowski (School of Media and Performing Arts, Middlesex University, UK)
Conducting design experiments with online video connectivity aimed at older people
The aim of the paper is to present key challenges for conducting in-the-wild design experiments with online video and older people by using the Teletalker (TT) and Telewalker (TW) research as examples and to provide suggestions on how to potentially overcome these. The TT and TW prototypes were developed during the practice-led investigation on how online social interaction for and with older people may be designed. The problem definition phase led the design researcher to concentrate on and work with online live video in order to address older people who have no computer literacy skills. Using constructive design research as methodology, the design researcher constructed in 2012 the Teletalker system (TT), a live online video connectivity system, which consisted of two kiosks connecting two locations audio-visually. Its kiosk design was based on a TV metaphor and aimed at enticing older people without computer skills to engage with it. The interaction mechanism for audio was based on touch and built by using arduino combined with a light sensitive resistor. In the same year three in-the-wild experiments were conducted connecting public places of Age UK day centres and Middlesex University. The prototypes and design experiment set-up strategies evolved with the process and whilst dealing with real world challenges. The nature of these design experiments was explorative and returns, not facts, were gained mainly through embodiment and the researcher taking part in the interactions. Returns can be understood as interpreted observations, which provide inspiration and subjective knowledge to the design researcher for modifications and future visions. In 2013 the Telewalker system (TW) was developed to appeal to elderly residents of two London care homes. The TW prototypes involved small laptop desks on wheels, bespoke software and improved interaction mechanisms to turn on the volume. The design researcher worked in close collaboration with care home management, staff and residents as well as volunteers of a local charity. An in-the-wild design experiment took place with the TW prototypes in July 2013 at an Age UK day centre engaging older and elderly day centre visitors. The paper concludes with reflections on the approach to in-the-wild design experiments in the two design processes for the TT and TW prototypes to draw out challenges and benefits.
Biography:
Marianne Markowski is in the finals of her PhD studies at Middlesex University, School of Media and Performing Arts. Her research investigates the question of how online social interaction for and with older people may be designed. For this she developed her research tool the Teletalker, which aims to make online Face-to-Face interaction easier for older people and to generate discussion about the role and form of online social technology. Alongside her PhD studies Marianne has research interests in affective experiences (http://affectiveexperiences.com/) as created and experienced through new media and cultural encounters. For the last 2 years she has been involved in organizing events to further discussions on new methods and skills under this topic.
Prior to returning to academia Marianne worked in user research for over 8 years. She has evaluated a wide range of software and platforms starting from kiosk, desktop, interactive television to mobile applications and handsets. She led and worked on UX projects B2C and B2B in the retail, banking, education, mobile and government sectors.