We do like a nice experimental interface here at Numiko, and we’re currently working with CBeebies on just that.
Really young kids have trouble using standard interfaces like a keyboard or mouse, so a lot of the games built for preschoolers end up too complicated for young children to play. With that in mind, we’re working with CBeebies and Glasgow Caledonian University to develop a suite of games with an innovative interface that can be used by children of all ages. The games should be great fun – we’re already testing prototypes with kids as young as two, and it’s brilliant watching videos of parents and kids laughing, singing along and generally having a good time.
The project itself is a great opportunity for some major UCD work. Understanding how children that young think and behave, and how they use technology; thinking about when, where and with who they’ll play these games; how they respond to visuals and audio cues… there’s a lot to think about. Thankfully we’ve got a team of psychologists of all flavours, game designers and expert testing consultants at Glasgow Caledonian to help out with research, testing and evaluating along the way.
Hopefully we’ll have more news soon – watch this space!
Sounds like a great idea, however, shouldn’t we be encouraging youths to get involved in technology, it is shaping our future, especially when you consider that most digital agencies employ foreigners, as they find it hard to find UK citizens who have the necessary skill set for such roles.
Hi Harry, thanks for your comment.
Skill with technology is important for people of all ages, and you’re right, it’s only going to become more important with time. That’s why things like this project are going to be so important in the future.
We’re encouraging young children to engage with technology at a time in their lives when most technology, being designed for older users, is almost incomprehensible to them! Let’s hope that we’re giving them a good head start, and who knows – maybe we’ll even be giving them jobs in a few years’ time…