Presentation
Do You Think You’re Tech-Savvy? The Vague Definition of Tech-Savviness and How to Design for the Non-Tech Savvy
SessionPoster Session 1
DescriptionAs technology continues to rise in society, there are a widespread number of medical devices that include a smart device application component, also known as apps. Although these apps can help users manage their own health and wellness, there are subsets of non-tech-savvy users for whom these app-based devices may not be as intuitive to use.
This poster will cover important tech-savviness considerations for device developers to address when designing home-health app-based products. Some device development considerations include: age of users, accessibility of the device, user limitations, different user groups such as patients and caregivers, the use environment, and digital heuristics (design guidelines).
For Human Factors Engineers this poster will also cover tips and tricks to conduct an effective study with non-tech savvy and tech-savvy user groups. Some tips and tricks for HFE practitioners include: clearly defining tech savviness for recruitment and in the use specification to ensure study participants would be real end users who are likely to use a smartphone or tablet independently, having patience and empathy with less tech-savvy study participants, giving users all of the information they need for the app in a clear and concise manner, and familiarizing yourself, as the HFE, with the app and bugs for easy troubleshooting during the session.
It is important to consider different levels of user tech-savviness when developing an app-based product because it will improve the usability for all user groups, making it a safer and more effective product. As HFE experts and consultants it is important to help clients and manufacturers understand the diversity of user perspectives in terms of tech-savviness because developers often have the bias of overestimating the tech savviness of users since they, as developers, are highly tech savvy.
Furthermore, conducting effective studies with non-tech savvy users can have challenges due to our own biases of naturally wanting to help people with simple phone tasks, i.e. finding an app, hitting a ‘continue’ button, and having to re-direct a participant that is asking us as moderators for help. This poster will present methods to support unbiased research and ensure that the study participants (and HFE’s involved) do not get frustrated during sessions.
As professionals in this field, we must have a thorough understanding of diversity in tech-savviness to conduct effective studies and advocate for ways to make products more accessible and user friendly for everyone.
This poster will cover important tech-savviness considerations for device developers to address when designing home-health app-based products. Some device development considerations include: age of users, accessibility of the device, user limitations, different user groups such as patients and caregivers, the use environment, and digital heuristics (design guidelines).
For Human Factors Engineers this poster will also cover tips and tricks to conduct an effective study with non-tech savvy and tech-savvy user groups. Some tips and tricks for HFE practitioners include: clearly defining tech savviness for recruitment and in the use specification to ensure study participants would be real end users who are likely to use a smartphone or tablet independently, having patience and empathy with less tech-savvy study participants, giving users all of the information they need for the app in a clear and concise manner, and familiarizing yourself, as the HFE, with the app and bugs for easy troubleshooting during the session.
It is important to consider different levels of user tech-savviness when developing an app-based product because it will improve the usability for all user groups, making it a safer and more effective product. As HFE experts and consultants it is important to help clients and manufacturers understand the diversity of user perspectives in terms of tech-savviness because developers often have the bias of overestimating the tech savviness of users since they, as developers, are highly tech savvy.
Furthermore, conducting effective studies with non-tech savvy users can have challenges due to our own biases of naturally wanting to help people with simple phone tasks, i.e. finding an app, hitting a ‘continue’ button, and having to re-direct a participant that is asking us as moderators for help. This poster will present methods to support unbiased research and ensure that the study participants (and HFE’s involved) do not get frustrated during sessions.
As professionals in this field, we must have a thorough understanding of diversity in tech-savviness to conduct effective studies and advocate for ways to make products more accessible and user friendly for everyone.
Event Type
Poster Presentation
TimeMonday, March 234:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
LocationRhinelander Gallery
Digital Health