Workshop: Designing human centered technologies for the developing world: HCI but not as we know it. Tue, 4 Sept. 2007 at the HCI 2007 conference, Lancaster, UK
With huge investments being made in ICT for development (ICT4D) and education (e.g. "$100 laptop," UN programmes etc.) and high expectations being raised, it is critical to ensure that ICT developments are in fact usable, useful, appropriate and well adapted to the communities and contexts in which they are intended to be used. This requires well designed solutions, which in turn requires appropriate human-centred design methods. However, it is unclear that methods largely developed for and with users in the developed world will prove appropriate in the developing world. This workshop aims to bring together interested parties and strengthen the User-centred design for development (UCS4D) community, as well as contribute to the body of knowledge about designing for and with communities in the developing world.
GOALS OF THE WORKSHOP
- Share experiences of Human Centred Design in the developing world;
- Identify key issues and patterns;
- Explore new, alternative and modified methods for human centred and participatory design of Development Technologies;
- Develop new partnerships - particularly international partnerships;
- Disseminate learning from this workshop through online and and offline publication; and
- Strengthen the HCI in Development Technology community.
POSSIBLE THEMES
- Case studies of user-centred design and participatory experiences in the developing world - both successes and failures;
- The difficulties of separating development and research objectives;
- Design of educational technology for development;
- Participatory methods from community action, education, agriculture, technology design, theatre, etc..;
- Innovative methods for designing for and with communities with diverse needs; or
- Managing expectations in participatory design projects.
