Background

One of the initial steps for this project was to explore the literature already available and determine how the findings could be applied to the development of these guidelines.  It was apparent from initial research that there is a lack of literature specifically on designing small interfaces for children. Because of this, an approach was taken that narrowed in on three main categories of literature; a general overview that looks at children’s use of technology, different approaches to web usability for children and case studies that address the use of PDAs in schools.

General Overview

• Currently over half of the American population, between the ages of 2 and 17, uses the Internet from home, while 83 percent of American households own at least one personal computer.
• Between 2000 and 2002, the preschool population in America was the fastest growing group of users to get online, with an amazing 29 percent growth.

Web Usability

• Until recently the majority of web usability studies that have been conducted are geared towards adults
• Some of the major design issues that have been discovered include; literacy, motor skills and attention span. 

PDAs in Schools

• Currently 28% of school districts in the Unites States provide PDA devices to both their students and teachers, mainly middle and high schools.
• The use of these devices ranges from schedule planning to homework submission.