Reading Response 4

The readings this week have opened up new avenues for inquiry.  Our proposed prototype is targeted at children with Asperger’s, a syndrome characterized repetitive movements, social impairments, preoccupation with certain objects, and inflexibility on routines. (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm) What are the specific design requirements for this type of user?  Take a look at the video, "Leo's Social Story Made with Stories2Learn" posted below.

In this clip, the parent reminds the child, “you only have to touch it once.”  What can we learn from this product that will inform our design decisions?  If we know Asperger’s students are prone to repetitive behaviours, for example, how will we address this?  Sharp, Rogers and Preece identify constraints as “determining ways of restricting the kinds of user interaction that can take place at a given moment.” (pg. 31)  What constraints do we need to implement that would facilitate a productive and enjoyable experience for both the child and adult mediating the technology?

In addition to considering constraints for our product, our users also exhibit repetitive preoccupations with objects.  How can we ensure our users view our product favourably, and derive “pleasure and satisfaction when using it, looking at it, holding it, and opening or closing it?” (pg 15)  The interface must be engaging and intuitive for our target audience.

Another consideration drawn from this week’s readings is a tendency of humans to “treat tennis rackets, balls, and hand tools as animate beings, verbally praising them when they do a good job for us, blaming them when they refuse to perform as we had wished.” (Norman pg 136)  Asperger’s children can become very volatile when things do not go their way, as evidenced in the "Asperger's Child - Meltdown video below.

As we begin designing a software product for existing hardware, should we sell an accessory to protect that hardware too?  Iphone hard-shell protectors and accompanying screen protectors are available (http://www.zagg.com/), however, will the thin screen protectors hold up to an Asperger’s meltdown?  Should we consider a more durable, harder screen protector for this user?

These are some of the considerations we must address as we enter the next phase of our design.