Interface Between Two Disciplines - The Development of Theatre as a Research Tool

摘要

Dundee University's School of Computing is researching technology for older users, whose difficulty with technology often exclude them from its benefits. This paper discusses the problems raised in consulting potential users who feel they do not understand technology and are anxious about using it. How should the technologists and designers get over to this clientele the somewhat abstract concepts of 'what might be developed' and how it might affect the users' quality of life? How could they keep the focus of discussion while giving the older people the confidence to be truthful? Experiments made with video and live theatre in consulting with older users, requirements gathering and evaluation of designs are described. This paper addresses: the process of scientific data being transformed into appropriate and useful 'stories' to the satisfaction both of writer and researchers: the role of actors and facilitator: the impact on the 'extreme users' in the audience: and the data thus gained by the researchers.