Designing interactive systems for the developing world - reflections on user-centred design

Content Prototyping – An Approach for Engaging Non-technical Users in Participatory Design

“…This is hardly the case for most developing world users [3,5]. Because of their limited exposure to technology, such users would not be able to contribute to the design process as they would have limited understanding of how the technology can integrate into their daily lives and jobs, much as they would not have enough computing experience against which to judge what is good or bad technology [10].…”

“…However, at this stage, we were unsure whether the trainers understood what the introduction of a new technology would mean for them, and how they could integrate it into their daily work. We needed to communicate the possibility of integrating a technology into the training process in a manner that they would understand and relate to [10]. Additionally, we had already established that CHWs are major role players in the flow of health information from the health trainers, via themselves, and on to the communities they serve.…”

“…This approach helps stimulate dialog between the users and the designers within the users' context, and gives a platform for users to easily contribute their local knowledge and expertise to the design process in a manner that they wouldn't if a typical low or high fidelity prototype were used [10] . So the introduction of simple technology artifacts with immediately obvious capability in early stages of design works better than the introduction of low fidelity prototypes at the same stage.…”

“…Maunder et al [10] and Kam et al [7] recommend progressively improving the user's technology experience to get them ready to participate in the design process. The designers would engage with the users in their natural work environment, developing the users to a point where they are comfortable with basic technology, while also building supportive structures within their environment.…”

“…The designers would engage with the users in their natural work environment, developing the users to a point where they are comfortable with basic technology, while also building supportive structures within their environment. The authors indicate that this approach (termed Progressive Design [4]) "would ensure the progression and development of the users' knowledge base and skill set, thereby enabling the user to better understand the technology, the benefits it offers and how to utilize it effectively….the result is an empowered, confident, motivated user that is able to actively participate in every phase of the design process," [10].…”