The interaction between gender, age, and multimedia interface design

In this study we assumed that multimedia design contributes to an interest in learning by young children. Thirty kindergarten children were exposed to interactive multimedia stories. With the help of the Pollimeter tool (Lampert, 1981), we examined previous experience with computers, level of covert time-on-task, and level of satisfaction with various interfaces. The findings indicate that different interfaces have a different impact on boys and girls as regards covert time-on-task and level of satisfaction with the interface. Boys who are more familiar with computer games show a greater covert time-on-task than girls, as also a higher level of satisfaction. Younger boys and girls were found to show higher satisfaction than older children.