A multi-disciplinary approach to the control of virtual environments for young people with learning difficulties

Lannen, T, 2002. A multi-disciplinary approach to the control of virtual environments for young people with learning difficulties. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the control of virtual environment (VE) navigation and interaction tasks for people with moderate to severe learning difficulties. This research stems from the development of VEs for people with learning difficulties and the identification that there are usability difficulties with the computer input devices, which are used to control the VE tasks. This investigation resulted in the following main extensions to the field of study:

- The application of a multi-disciplinary design methodology, resulting in the development of a design specification for the selection or design of usable VE input devices for young people with moderate to severe learning difficulties.

- The design and development of a new VE input system for young people with moderate to severe learning difficulties.

An evaluation was carried out to identify the specific usability difficulties that young people with moderate to severe learning difficulties experience, when using the joystick and mouse (commonly used devices) to control VE tasks. This evaluation concluded that it is important to consider user abilities, the VE tasks and the working environment, in order to select or develop usable VE input devices. This conclusion was supported by the following disciplines: human- computer interaction (HCI); user-centred design (UCD) and assistive technology (AT).

Consequently, a multi-disciplinary design methodology, which was based on the key activities of the user-centred design (UCD) process, was carried out. The first step of this methodology was 'understand and specify the context of use', which involved the analysis of the users, the tasks and the working environment, hence satisfying the conclusion of the background research. A new VE input system (VRl) was developed, based on the user, task and environment research. This prototype was then tested with a user group of young people with moderate to severe learning difficulties to evaluate its usability and to test the following hypothesis:

- The employment of the multi-disciplinary design methodology results in the design and development of a VE input system for young people with moderate to severe learning disabilities, which has greater usability than a commonly used system for this user population.

In order to test this hypothesis, a comparison was made between the usability of VRl and the JM system (Joystick and Mouse: commonly used devices). The results showed VRl to be significantly more usable than the JM system. Hence, the hypothesis was supported.

The results of this research have shown that the multi-disciplinary design methodology employed was a successful approach to this investigation. The application of this methodology has resulted in the production of a VE input system (VRl) that has the potential to provide improved VE control for young people with moderate to severe learning difficulties. Due to time limitations it was not possible to incorporate all of the identified design requirements into the VRl prototype. Hence, to further increase usability, future prototype development should apply the complete list of device attributes from the design specification, along with the design refinement identified from the user-based assessment.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Lannen, T.
Date:	2002
ISBN:	9781369325331
Identifiers:	Number Type PQ10290284 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Laura Ward
Date Added:	25 Jun 2021 15:21
Last Modified:	13 Dec 2023 14:13
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/43249

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