Ergonomic Considerations for Children's Pointing Device: A Review of Design Issues

Abstract

In this present paper, ergonomic considerations for designing children’s pointing device were reviewed and discussed. Since the ways of interaction to a computer may influence the effects of children’s learning and leisure activities, how to design a comfortable and effective pointing device is of critical importance. The researchers in the field of ergonomics tend to consider a product design following two main trends. They may develop design guidelines or evaluate existing products using certain ergonomic criteria. According to a thorough review, the authors have identified four important facets to characterize the use of pointing devices by children. First, the developmental progress, in particular eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills, need to be considered. Second, types of interactions using a pointing device should be decomposed into sub-steps. Experimental protocols can then be planned to fit the sub-steps to find new insights from the detailed analysis. Third, the styles and characteristics of the user interface should be considered. Finally, the form and dimensions of the pointing devices should be considered according to children’s usage. This study is very helpful for the product design process to develop a good pointing device for children.