Audience Cambridge IGCSE Information & Communication Technology revision
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In plain words
The same information should not be presented the same way to a class of six-year-olds and a meeting of engineers. Before making anything, ask who it is for.
6 things to know
- An ICT solution must show a clear sense of audience and purpose: who will use it, and what it is for.
- Things to consider about an audience: their age, their experience and knowledge of the subject, and what they expect.
- For young children: large clear fonts, simple words, short sentences, bright colours, many images and little text.
- For adults or experts: more detail, formal language, technical terms where suitable, and a plainer design.
- The solution must be respectful of the audience's needs. That includes people with disabilities: large text, good colour contrast, and alternative text for images.
- Ways of finding out what an audience needs: interviewing a sample of them, giving out questionnaires, or studying similar products.
Worked example
A presentation about road safety was made for adults. It is to be shown to seven-year-olds. Suggest three changes.
- Use simpler words and shorter sentences.
- Use more pictures and animations, and less text.
- Use larger fonts and brighter colours.
Tips and tricks
- Start an answer by naming the audience, then say what suits them and why.
- "Make it colourful" is weak alone. Tie it to the audience: "bright colours, to hold the attention of young children".
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
Audience: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
What should be considered first when planning an ICT solution?
Everything else follows from who it is for.
Which would suit a presentation for young children?
It must hold their attention and be easy to read.
Which would suit a report for expert engineers?
They expect detail and accuracy.
How could a designer find out what an audience needs?
A sample of the real audience is asked.
What does alternative text on an image do?
Screen readers read it aloud.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
2 questions, 5 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
Audience
Cambridge IGCSE Information & Communication Technology 0417 · 5 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
State three characteristics of an audience that should be considered when designing a presentation.[3]
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The age of the audience. Their knowledge or experience of the subject. Their expectations. (Also: any disabilities.)
Describe two features that would make a web page suitable for people with poor eyesight.[2]
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Large text. A strong contrast between the text and the background. (Also: alternative text that can be read aloud.)
Answers: Audience
- 1. The age of the audience. Their knowledge or experience of the subject. Their expectations. (Also: any disabilities.)
- 2. Large text. A strong contrast between the text and the background. (Also: alternative text that can be read aloud.)