Connecting generations: developing co-design methods for older adults and children

Abstract

As new technologies emerge that can bring older adults together with children, little has been discussed by researchers concerning the design methods used to create these new technologies. Giving both children and older adults a voice in a shared design process comes with many challenges. This paper details an exploratory study focusing on connecting generations through cooperative design (co-design) methods that can enable idea construction and elaboration to flourish. Design techniques were adapted that ranged from low-tech prototyping and sticky-note feedback to distributed collaboration. The critical finding in this research was that children and older adults need not only time together to start the collaboration but also time apart to further the collaboration at a distance. This case study research reports on how our methods evolved and how others can apply these methods for their own work.

Keywords:

• older adults
• children
• cooperative design (co-design)
• intergenerational interactions

Acknowledgements

We are indebted to our older adult and child partners. We are also grateful to the Holiday Park Senior Center, which hosted our meetings and to the US National Park Service, which partially supported our exploratory study.