The global introduction of affordable Internet of Things (IoT) devices offers an opportunity to empower a large variety of users with different needs. However, many off-the-shelf digital products are still not widely adopted by people who are hesitant technology users or by older adults, notwithstanding that the design and user-interaction of these devices is recognized to be user-friendly. In view of the potential of IoT-based devices, how can we reduce the obstacles of a cohort with low digital literacy and technology anxiety and enable them to be equal participants in the digitalized world? This article shows the method and results achieved in a community-stakeholder workshop, developed through the participatory design methodology, aiming at brainstorming problems and scenarios through a focus group and a structured survey. The research activity focused on understanding factors to increase the usability of off-the-shelf IoT devices for hesitant users and identify strategies for improving digital literacy and reducing technology anxiety. A notable result was a series of feedback items pointing to the importance of creating learning resources to support individuals with different abilities, age, gender expression, to better adopt off-the-shelf IoT-based solutions.
翻译:在全球采用负担得起的“物联网”(IoT)装置为增强需求不同的广大用户的能力提供了机会,然而,许多现成数字产品仍没有被那些犹豫不决的技术用户或老年人广泛采用,尽管这些装置的设计及用户之间的相互作用被公认为方便用户使用;鉴于基于IoT的装置的潜力,我们如何减少数字识字程度低、技术焦虑程度低的人群的障碍,使他们能够成为数字化世界的平等参与者?这一文章展示了通过参与性设计方法开发的社区利益有关者讲习班的方法和成果,该讲习班旨在通过重点小组和结构化调查,集思广益解决问题和设想。研究活动的重点是了解各种因素,以提高现成的IoT装置对犹豫用户的可用性,并确定改善数字识字程度和减少技术焦虑的战略。一个显著的结果是,一系列反馈项目表明,必须创造学习资源,支持有不同能力、年龄、性别表达能力的个人,更好地采用以现成的IoT为基础的解决办法。