Interface assessment: elderly users of an interactive television system.
Assessment of an interactive television service has highlighted potentially major barriers regarding the ease and desirability of access by elderly users. The kinds of service available through such technology vary widely as do the interaction operations required to achieve the goal of each service. For many interfaces, in particular those in the workplace, some element of explicit training or extended practice may be necessary and appropriate to achieve proficient use. However, in order to attract paying customers to television based interactive services, the expectation should be of a rapid and fairly effortless route to proficiency. Evidence is presented which indicates no positive effects of previous experience with a combined set of interactive services and it is argued that this is mainly due to a lack of explicit information and to inconsistencies (mainly between service providers) in the operation rules (both, explicit and implicit) provided.
Carmichael
A R
AR
Age and Cognitive Performance Research Centre, University of Manchester, UK.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013690:Television; D014584:User-Computer Interface