Developmental changes in childrens’ use of computer input devices

Abstract

Input devices represent the first interface that the child must master in learning to use computers yet there is little empirical or theoretical work on the child's ability to use them. This paper describes the performance of 5 to 10 year old children using a touchscreen, mouse, joystick and key‐push to control a screen display. Deliberately simple tasks were employed to focus on how the child coped with the properties of the devices. Data are presented in the context of specific questions about ways that the devices can be regarded as requiring skills on the part of the child that would be differentially available at different points in development