Understanding user needs & experiences through Personas and Scenarios

For more information: Extract: Chapter 7 from Key Findings & Recommendations Report

Overall research: In response to the future use of the shared educational campus (SEC) approach in Ireland, a research study was carried out into the SEC model on behalf of the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority. Based on an in-depth review of international best practice supported by interviews and workshops, the study found many benefits and equally many challenges facing the SEC concept.

Working with key stakeholders: Co-research and co-creation with key stakeholders was central to this research. In this regard, group activities were conducted using a hypothetical school campus. Workshop attendees were broken into groups and each individual within the group was given an information sheet which outlined a ‘persona’, which described a typical campus user and outlined their specific situation in relation to the hypothetical campus.

Each individual was asked to consider the educational campus from the perspective of the persona they were given and to provide feedback on this basis using an A4 handout which contained a number of key themes under which the participants could structure their responses. Feedback was recorded using these A4 handouts, and during the workshop from feedback via rapporteurs from each group who presented the issues emerging from each group.

For the full report: SEC Key Findings and Recommendations Report

CEUD website