ERIC Number: EJ1238169
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2227-7102
EISSN: N/A
People with Learning Disabilities and Smartphones: Testing the Usability of a Touch-Screen Interface
Williams, Peter; Shekhar, Sidharth
Education Sciences, v9 Article 263 2019
Mobile phone technology is becoming ubiquitous. However, a number of unique usability challenges are still unresolved, including small screen size, device orientation changes, and an array of interaction methods (tap, flick, pinch, etc.) These challenges may be particularly acute for people with learning disabilities. This study examined the usability of touchscreen interactions, the difficulties, and possible solutions. An app was developed in which (12) participants accessed Google Maps and manipulated it to find various London Underground station locations. Text input (a password), tap, swipe, and pinch were required, and their usage was analysed. Many participants were successful in finding the required information. However, many difficulties arose, including misunderstandings of the labelling (a live 'Welcome' button was not tapped, whereas a short list of instructions was erroneously seen as a menu and so erroneously tapped to access each step in the process) and an over-sensitive zoom feature. Three categories of error were formulated from the findings: affordance, user, and functionality. Recommendations are offered, such as using more appropriate 'signage' for link buttons (affordance); manipulating the zoom feature using + and - buttons rather than a 'pinch', which requires two fingered dexterity (functionality); and more formal training and familiarity (user).
Descriptors: Telecommunications, Handheld Devices, Usability, Technology Uses in Education, Educational Technology, Computer Oriented Programs, Barriers, Maps, Geographic Information Systems, Error Patterns, Foreign Countries, Adults, Mild Intellectual Disability
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: N/A
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A