Age, technology prior experience and ease of use

Who's doing what?

Conference paper (2013)

Authors

M. D. Bradley University of Cambridge
J. A. Goodman-Deane University of Cambridge
S. D. Waller University of Cambridge
Raji Tenneti University of Western Australia
Patrick Langdon University of Cambridge
P.J. Clarkson University of Cambridge
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Published Date

2013

Language

English

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Abstract

Designers often assume that their users will have some digital technological prior experience. We examined these levels of prior experience by surveying frequency and ease of technology use with a range of technology products. 362 people participated as part of a UK nationwide larger survey of people's capabilities and characteristics to inform product design. We found that frequency and self-reported ease of use are indeed correlated for all of the products. Furthermore, both frequency and ease of use declined significantly with age for most of the products. In fact, 29% of the over 65s had never or rarely used any of the products, except for digital TV. We conclude that interfaces need to be designed carefully to avoid implicit assumptions about users' previous technology use.