An alternative method for collecting and gathering data using Smartboard application in the field of interaction design and children (IDC)

This study aimed to investigate the usability of interactive whiteboard technology (Smartboard) as a tool to collect and gather data and next, to build an alternative method in doing research particularly in children and design field. The usability study will focus on three main aspects which are children, interaction and the features of Smartboard itself. The approach used is fun and enjoyable which will increase the involvement of children as active participants in research to contribute more accurate and meaningful data. An application using SMART Notebook software, entitled 'Introduction of Icon' has been developed based on DDD-E instructional design model. Target users for this research were primary school children aged 7 to 12 years old in Tanjung Malim area. Nine children were individually tested in a lab on this application. Effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction are the main aspects emphasized to measure the usability of application and this technology. Four types of instruments used for this research were: 1) observation, 2) interviews, 3) questionnaire and 4) child's artifact (drawing). Through data analysis using the typology, analysis discussion with expert and transcription evaluation, a variety of interesting findings arose especially in children's nature and environment towards technology. This dissertation presents the results of the research with the presence of usability guidelines. This is justified by similarity and familiarity of Smartboard application with real world which makes it well functioned and collecting and gathering data from children can be easy and accurate (efficiency). Furthermore, Smartboard meets the needs of researchers in conducting research but digital drawing on Smartboard gives less information rather than paper-based drawing (effectiveness). Children feel satisfied and excited using Smartboard application with its easy interaction that makes them feel enjoyable and comfortable. The main contributions of this research are: 1) list of methods and instruments to collect and gather data from children will be used by other researchers in their research; 2) analysis of children's needs; 3) a list of guidelines of using Smartboard to collect and gather data for research in the field of children and 4) a list of instruments to collect and gather data from children using Smartboard will be used by other researchers in their research. The use of Smartboard technology has created a new innovation in the methods of data collecting and gathering in order to make it interesting and effective