Phone use and aging: Do spatial interface metaphors help?

Abstract

This study compared the usability of two different speech activated automated telephone services with a group of older adults, aged between 50 and 87. All participants completed a series of information search tasks with a standard numbered menu system, and with a specially developed menu system designed around a spatial metaphor. Automated menu systems presented a significant barrier for older adults with only 59% of participants able to complete all search tasks. Task completion improved when using the spatial metaphor-based version of the service. The spatial ability of participants was related to successful task completion with both services. Time taken to complete search tasks correlated with working memory capacity only in the case of the standard service and not the metaphor-based service. The incorporation of spatial metaphor within automated telephone systems may therefore provide an important aid to navigation when developing future services with older adults in mind. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.