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Multi-Layered Interfaces for Mobile Applications for

Older Adults: Qualitative Analysis

By Justine YangCPSC 448B

April 28, 2009

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Introduction

Mobile devices have gone through a major

transformation in the past decades

First phone in the 1970’s Phones we have today

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Introduction

And emerged in popularity in recent years

Wait, there’s something missing!

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Introduction

And emerged in popularity in recent years

Where are the seniors in the picture?

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Introduction

It is observed that seniors often perceive new

technologies as too complicated

“I don’t know how to use these new gadgets, my son taught me before, but I always forget after a while…”

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Motivation

Attempting to make the interfaces on mobile

devices easier to use

Multi-Layered Interface!!!

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Motivation

Previous research shows• “Multi-layered interfaces have been seen as a

suitable approach to helping novice users to learn to use software interfaces.” - Shneiderman, B.

• “Novices can learn with multi-layered interfaces by starting with an initial layer consisting of a limited function set, and progressing to successive layers when needed or when they are comfortable using the initial set.”

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Study DesignStudy Design

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Study Design

Participants:

16 young participants (age 20-39)

16 senior participants (age 65+)

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Study Design

Independent Variables (Interface):

• Multi-Layered Interface– Perform tasks on different interfaces

• Non-Layered Interface (control)– Perform all tasks on one interface

Elaborate more in a bit…

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Study Design

Tasks:

1st set: Basic(Add user, edit user, and delete user)

2nd set: Advanced(Add voice dialing, send text message and add custom ringtone)

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Study Design

Participants using Multi-Layered Interface

Interface 1

Perform 1Perform 1stst set of task set of task

(Add, edit, delete user)

Interface 2

Perform 2Perform 2ndnd set of task set of task

(voice dial, text message, ringtone)

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Study Design

Participants using Non-Layered Interface

Perform both sets of tasksPerform both sets of tasks

Interface 2

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Study Design

Data:

1. Performance– Track the number of extra steps performed in a task

2. Questionnaires– Given after each set of tasks and rate on Likert scale

3. Post-study Interview– Open ended questions, understand preferences and reasoning

Data:

1. Performance– Track the number of extra steps performed in a task

2. Questionnaires– Given after each set of tasks and rate on Likert scale

3. Post-study Interview– Open ended questions, understand preferences and reasoning

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Study Design

1. What are the perceived benefits of the ML

interfaces for learning?

2. What are the perceived benefits of the ML interfaces for long term usage?

3. Do seniors prefer multi-layered interfaces or traditional non-layered interfaces and Why?

4. Do age-related differences exist in the aforementioned questions?

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Results and AnalysisResults and Analysis

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Results and Analysis

Performance Data on Initial Learning

ML

NL

ML

NL

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Results and Analysis

Seniors prefer the ML interface for learning

Learning Preference

ML NL

Seniors using ML 5/8 3/8

Seniors using NL 5/7 2/7

Total: 10/15 of the seniors prefer the ML interface

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Results and Analysis

Reasons why seniors prefer the ML interface:

Gradual Learning Curve

“[D]oing the simpler thing first is easier. Going from simpler to complex is more of a natural progress of learning.”

(ML, age 65+, P53)

“I would learn this first and go on to the other option if one is comfortable with [interface 1]. (ML, age 65+, P63)

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Results and Analysis

Drawbacks of the ML interface for Learning:

1. “Because you sort of get in your mind that it’s a different thing and you had to learn this all over again.” (ML, age 65+, P69)

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Results and Analysis

Drawbacks of the ML interface for Learning:

2. “If you do the first one, then you become over competent. Like you’d think you can do it with your eyes closed. Then, you get this false sense of competence. So I think I would want to go with the 2nd system first.” (ML, age 65+, P57)

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Results and Analysis

Performance Data on Long Term Usage

ML,NLML,NL

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Results and Analysis

Same number of seniors prefer the ML and NL

interface for long term usage

** B = Only Basic Interface

Long Term Usage Preference

ML NL B

Seniors using ML 4/8 3/8 1/8

Seniors using NL 3/7 4/7 0/7

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Results and Analysis

Reasons why seniors prefer the ML interface:

“I think I would prefer them both even if I never use interface 2. If it’s there, there’s a possibility for me to use

it.” (ML, age 65+, P67)

“I would prefer the one where you have all the personal commonly used [features]…I would use this most of the time… It might be the occasional time that I want to use [interface 2] or probably not you know? “(ML, age 65+, P69)

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Results and Analysis

Reasons why seniors prefer the NL interface

1. “I think I would choose the one with all the functions because it’s all there.”. (ML, age 65+, P52)

2. “I would want all of the functions” (ML, age 65+, P53)

3. “It’s not difficult to use…Keep it simple.” (NL, age 65+, P70)

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Results and Analysis

No drawback was seen from

participants’ response in using the

ML interface for long term usage

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Results and Analysis

Age-related differences:

Preference for Learning: Senior: ML interface v.s. Young: Mixed preferences

Preference for Long Term Usage:

Senior: Equal v.s. Young: ML interface

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Results and Analysis

Age-related differences in Learning: Senior: ML interface v.s. Young: Mixed preferences

Seniors take more steps, difference between NL and ML is larger

Seniors take more time, difference between NL and ML is larger

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Results and Analysis

Age-related differences in Long Term Usage: Senior: Equal v.s. Young: ML interface

Takes same number of steps, no difference between NL and ML

Seniors take more time, no difference between NL and ML

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Results and Analysis

Possible Cause #1: Priority

Senior: Simplicity“Probably, it’s simpler to do a bit and get more familiar with fingers and

where the buttons are and so on. Just the way you did.” (ML, age 65+, P59)

[Interface 1] Always. It’s simple. [For interface 2], well if you feel more

ambitious and want to do more fancy things. (ML, age 65+, P65)

Young: Efficiency and Convenience

“I’ll definitely be faster if I use the one with fewer options…Use it when I

first got it. I would switch to the other one when I feel like I know how to do

the other functions.” (ML, age 20-39, P13)

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Results and AnalysisPossible Cause #1: PrioritySenior: Simplicity

For learning: ML interface • “It was easier and then increase the complexity. That worked well for

me.” (ML, age 65+, P67)

For long term usage: either• ML interface: Use this one most of the time. These are the essential

functions. The other functions are extras, fancy things to impress your friends.” (ML, age 65+, P65)

• NL interface: “It’s not difficult to use, just more functions to use. I would just go with one [interface]. Keep it simple.” (NL, age+, P70)

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Results and AnalysisPossible Cause #1: PriorityYoung: Efficiency and Convenience

For learning: Mixed • ML participants prefer the ML interface: • “[Interface 1] add quickly. Also for learning. [Interface 2] when bored,

and want to try and use the other functions.” (ML, age 20-39, P3)• NL participants prefer the NL interface: • “less moving around and all in one place. There are fewer steps.”

(ML, age 20-39, P6)

For long term usage: ML interface• “I would choose interface 1 because I have fewer options to scroll

through. Interface 2: Use interface two when I have more time.” (ML, age 20-39, P10)

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Results and Analysis

Possible Cause #2: Past Experience

Senior: Little Experience

Young: Abundant Experience

Experience

Computer Mobile Devices

Senior 15/15 5/15

Young 16/16 16/16

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Results and Analysis

Possible Cause #2: Past Experience

Senior: Less Experience complex, need guidance

Takes more steps and longer time

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Results and AnalysisPossible Cause #2: Past ExperienceSenior: Less Experience complex, need guidance

For learning: ML interface • “It was easier and then increase the complexity. That worked well for me.” (ML,

age 65+, P67)

For long term usage: either• ML interface: Use this one most of the time. These are the essential functions.

The other functions are extras, fancy things to impress your friends.” (ML, age 65+, P65)

• NL interface: “I can see what features that are in there, and I think it would be very useful for me and for my work. ” (NL, age+, P62)

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Results and Analysis

Possible Cause #2: Past Experience

Young: Abundant Experience not complex, efficiency

“Plus, it’s not that complicated. It’s pretty standard I guess. It’s probably

harder for people in my parents age.” (NL, age 20-39, P4)

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identical

Possible Cause #2: Past Experience

Young: Abundant Experience not complex, efficiency

“Plus, it’s not that complicated. It’s pretty standard I guess. It’s probably

harder for people in my parents age.” (NL, age 20-39, P4)

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Results and AnalysisPossible Cause #2: Past ExperienceYoung: Abundant Experience not complex, efficiency

For learning: Mixed • ML participants prefer the ML interface: • “[Interface 1] add quickly. Also for learning. [Interface 2] when bored,

and want to try and use the other functions.” (ML, age 20-39, P3)• NL participants prefer the NL interface: • “less moving around and all in one place. There are fewer steps.”

(ML, age 20-39, P6)

For long term usage: ML interface• “I would choose interface 1 because I have fewer options to scroll

through. Interface 2: Use interface two when I have more time.” (ML, age 20-39, P10)

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ConclusionConclusion

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Conclusion

Senior Users:

Learning• Senior participants prefer ML interface• Drawbacks exist, but can be overcome by

switching to interface 2

Long Term Usage• Equal number of senior participants prefer the

ML and NL Interfaces • but no drawback was found

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Conclusion

Younger Users: • There was no distinct improvement in terms of

performance when learning through the ML interface

• For long term usage, the ML interface is beneficial to younger population as the basic interface makes the operations more efficient

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Questions and AnswerQuestions and Answer