Forum theatre as a requirements gathering methodology in the design of a home telecommunication system for older adults

Mark Rice, Alan Newell, M. Morgan

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    38 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The ability to elicit requirements in the design of new technology has proved to be particularly problematic with older generations of users who have not grown up with the same level of familiarity and understanding of present day user interfaces as younger generations have. It is also widely acknowledged that older people are poorly represented in the development process of mainstream technology. In this paper, we critically examine how 'Forum Theatre' can be used as a requirements gathering methodology in the development of a novel digital television (DTV) based communication system. We demonstrate how live theatre established a 'common ground' between audience participants and actors in the facilitation of new ideas, and discuss how live theatre can be used to stimulate interest and understanding from designers and relevant professionals in the development of an unfamiliar and largely undefined technology for older adults.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)323-331
    Number of pages9
    JournalBehaviour and Information Technology
    Volume26
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2007

    Keywords

    • Forum Theatre
    • Digital television
    • Older users
    • Participatory design

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