A study on interactive explanation boards design and evaluation for active aging ecotourism

Abstract

According to the advanced aging society and the change of travelstyle, the advanced age groups are active in joining ecotourism to increase knowledge and experiences that raise their qualities of living. Therefore a solution to enhance ecotourism experiences of the advanced age group would be a major consideration in the future. A tendency of elevating knowledge and experiences of the active aging group with assistance of technology is anticipated. As a consequence the study focus on literature analysis of active aging group, ecotourism, interactive design and related design principles. Through a demand investigation, design and building of principle-based interactive interpretive signs prototype, a revised proposal of the prototype design is come up based on user reports regarding evaluation and review of the interactive prototypes. The study results are as following: (1) A fulfillment of recording, knowledge, safety and convenience of ecotourism is brought to the active aging group through the assistance of technology. (2) From the investigation of technology demand, the study developed consistency, flexibility, efficiency, artistic and simplified design, visibility, feedback, attraction, instruction, sustainability, satisfaction, assistance and directions, user control and unrestrained 11 prototype design characteristics. The design and building of interactive interpretive sign prototypes are based on the above characteristics. (3) In accordance with the user report, an induction of “Hardware Performance Issue” of interactive prototypes are able to increase knowledge of the active aging group, so as to improve the height, layout, narration, icons and information guidance, etc. For the interactive narration time design in “Information Media”, long time consumption of active aging group in a fixed location should be avoided. It may cause inconvenience to other users. The guiding information should be more detailed and screen size should be increased. The “Interactive Operation” is smooth. Manipulating both graphics and words simultaneously, as well as the efficiency of operation system should improve the guidelines. The listening experience in “Sharing their Experience” is one of the most important elements to enhance the interactive narration quality. As for the vision experience, an advancement of the narration screen and the story content is required. The study results expect to enhance the ecotourism experience of the active aging group, also to provide references for related studies operations.