User requirements of digital navigation system for the elderly a case study in Taiwan- using Shihsanhang museum as an example

• Main Authors: CHIANG, I-LIN, 蔣以琳
• Other Authors: CHANG, PAI-LING
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/jxd6wf

碩士 === 世新大學 === 數位多媒體設計學系 === 105 === Numerous studies have proposed digital media design specifications that address the needs of elderly people; however, the user experience of elderly people using digital media has not been considered thoroughly in the design of digital navigation platforms provided by museums. Compared with children, young people, and middle-aged users, elderly visitors are the primary target users of the digital platforms offered at museums. As the global population ages, countries have paid greater attention to the needs of elderly people, including such aspects as food, clothing, housing, transportation, and entertainment. The elderly population accounts for a significant proportion of the recipients of various services, such as the guided tour service available at museums. To create a user-friendly digital experience for elderly museum visitors, we focused on identifying problems and solutions. By analyzing possible factors, we integrated the actual needs of elderly people before proposing appropriate improvement methods. By adopting the anthropologic user-centered approach, this study explores the behavior of elderly museum visitors and their user experience with digital navigation systems. Museums, which are places of leisure, entertainment, and learning, are one of the favorite places elderly people like to visit. Learning at museums is one of the most researched academic issues. In this study, we identified key components of the digital navigation systems of museums by identifying a user environment suitable for elderly users: a navigation system that features high ease of use, interface utility, and adaptability to the demands of elderly users, a group exhibiting special needs resulting from changes in physical and mental functions. We proposed key components that an elderly people-appropriate media navigation platform should have and named design factors that address the needs of elderly users. The results of a questionnaire survey show that people visiting the museum chosenfor this study were predominately regular visitors because the museum is located in Bali, a tourist attraction. Regarding the choice of navigation, most of the visitors conducted self-guided tour. By presenting questions that probe into visitors’ experience using the digital navigation system, the survey shows that visitors had a favorable overall perception of the museum environment. The respondents exhibited the highest satisfaction with the following two statements: “the exhibition presents many options for navigation systems and they can satisfy my needs” and “the contents featured in the navigation media are straightforward and easy to read.” Regarding media usage, the respondents showed the highest degree of agreement with the following two statements: “I am not sure how to use the digital navigation system” and “ease of use is affected by experience.” Evidently, most of the elderly visitors that had had no experience using similar systems encountered difficulties using the system. Elderly people might be at various stages of physical and mental function degeneration. Therefore, to assist elderly visitors that are afraid of using new technology and exhibit relatively weak physical and mental functions, service staffers can provide instructions or guidance that allows these visitors to understand and familiarize themselves with product usage. Alternatively, family members of elderly visitors can provide assistance to enhance the confidence and learning capacity of these visitors. In addition to practical functions, the design of digital navigation systems targeted at elderly users should incorporate features that train elderly users to correctly and actively use novel technology. Ultimately, this type of design will allow elderly people to learn safely while preserving their self-esteem and to remain confident.