DEVELOPING SEXUAL HEALTH SOFTWARE INCORPORATING USER FEEDBACK - A BRITISH-EXPERIENCE

This article describes an interactive prototyping model for developmen t of four computer software modules for British youth on sexual issues . An iterative cycle of development, user review and feedback, and sub sequent modification and retesting was used with approximately 150 you ng adults, with particular attention to presentation style, screen des ign, usability, relevance of material, enjoyment, and learning. The so ftware was designed to be realistically accommodated in school setting s, to be used as a reference tool by students working alone or in a gr oup teaching situation. Feedback from youth and adults attests to the feasibility of development, implementation, and instructional usefulne ss. Interactive prototyping proved essential in the face of skepticism from teachers concerning young people's information needs and accepta nce of a computerized educational approach.