Using task analysis to explore older novice participants’ experiences with a handheld touchscreen device

Access to online resources is becoming more important for engagement with society. However, older people with limited experience of digital interfaces can have significant difficulties with access. Touchscreen devices have shown potential to offer advantages to the older and novice user. Usability becomes increasingly important with age related changes in sensory perception, cognition and motor skills. This pilot study has investigated problems caused by lack of prior experience of digital interaction in novice older users. This paper reports their behaviour and errors using a tablet touchscreen device through attempting several tasks. Task analysis and actual user task sequences have been used to highlight the difficulties and errors made by the participants.

Paper presented at: Ergonomics & Human Factors 2012, Blackpool, UK, 16-19 April 2012.