New Media Applications Group
School of Engineering and Information Technology
In 2002 Prof Kathy Blashki and a PhD student, Kirsten Ellis, produced an application for young children's use of technology; TVM. The purpose of TVM was to empower young children for independent computer use. In the process of research into designing software for young children the following was discovered:
Text based interfaces are inappropriate for use by young children. In addition, the interface should not illustrate or support inappropriate behaviours such as: Sharp objects, shooting guns, hitting animals. TVM was designed to support the development of fine motor co-ordination such as: Mouse over, mouse click, drag and drop.
Enabling successful and independent computer use for young children requires: Pictorial symbols, short auditory instruction, colour coding, transitional objects, metaphors.
Young children require an initial understanding of the metaphors used when interacting with the interface, when using computers. For example, an unknown metaphor for a child might be a filing cabinet, a known metaphor for a young child may be a book. In the development of TVM the metaphor used was a TV. Hence the name of the software; TVM.
When designing software it is important to design with the cognitive ability of young children in mind. For example dice games are beyond a young child's capability however, colouring pictures may be appropriately levelled at the abilities of the young child
If you would like more information on TVM please contact Kathy Blashki (kblashki@deakin.edu.au) any time.
2004Blashki, K & Ellis K
“Toddler techies: Evaluation of Multimedia for Young Children” Information Technology in Childhood Education Annual, 2004:1
Blashki, K and Ellis, K
“Multimedia Metaphors for young children: TVM, a case study” IRMA, 18-21 May, Philadelphia, USA
Blashki, K and Ellis, K
“Mastering the Metaphor: Empowering the Young Child for Independent Computer Use” Ed-Media, June 23-24, Honolulu, Hawaii
