Talk N Walk User Testing Pilot Program

On completion of the Talk N Walk app co-design and development process, an intensive user-testing Pilot Program - which followed a UX (user experience) design thinking process led by Bec Nguyen of Telethon Kids Institute, was run in multiple stages over 10 weeks. The pilot had the following key objectives:  

  1. The impact the app has on physical activity (walking) and social connections; and 
  2. Feedback directly related to the app and its content and features 

As a tool to promote behaviour change, the Talk N Walk pilot found that the app, with supporting school and community resources, has great potential. 

Both participants and parents perceived the concept of Talk N Walk to be positive for mental health and physical activity and results from the app user behaviour analytics showed a significant increase in users feeling ‘Happy’ and ‘Relaxed’ after a Talk N Walk.  

Participants found the app easy to use, simple and clear to understand, with the top five features being: 

  1. The challenges to complete while out walking;  
  2. The conversation starters to make use of while out talking and walking with friends or family;  
  3. The digital stickers - awarded through points earned by completing Talk N Walks;  
  4. The shoe avatars to select from when setting up the app; and,  
  5. The theme colour selection - allowing for some personalisation of the app.

“These conversation starters are cool! I like that it gives you something to do while walking and things to think about. They help you think outside the box.” (Pilot Program participant)

“Although the challenges were easy, I still felt accomplished when I completed them.” (Pilot Program participant) 

 Participants also made some recommendations to Talk N Walk app features to increase engagement, several which have since been implemented including: 

  • an update to the app tutorial instructions for first time users; 
  • more interactive stickers with the ability to ‘tap and zoom’ from the user dashboard; 
  • the ability to choose from up to four challenges per Talk N Walk;  
  • a greater number and variety of conversation starters; and, 
  • a ‘filtering’ function for the conversation starters to ensure they are relevant to the type of Talk N Walk you are taking (ie: with a family member, friend, pet or solo mission) 

Following these updates the Talk N Walk app was officially launched at the Telethon Family Weekend in October 2022.

Our vision is to continue to grow and iterate the program – including the development of co-designed hardcopy resources for schools and community groups - to support WA girls, families and young people of all abilities to develop healthier lifestyles and experience a stronger sense of belonging and connection to community.  

A photograph of the Nature Play WA booth at Telethon Family Weekend 2022. The booth features three pull up banners, an A frame display sign and a table with promotional material on it. Katherine Healy and Kellie Hill are seen in the middle of the image, wearing white tee-shirts with the green Nature Play WA logo printed on them.

*The Pilot Program included eight parents and 43 participants - girls aged 10-15 years who were not involved in the app co-design process, including girls from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, girls in regional and remote WA, girls who identified as LGBTQIA+, and girls with learning difficulties.

A copy of the complete User Testing Pilot Program Report is available by emailing kellie@natureplaywa.org.au

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We Acknowledge
Nature Play WA acknowledges the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation, as the custodians of the land where our team lives and works. We also acknowledge the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and recognise the continuing connection of Indigenous people to their land, waters, sky, culture and community. We pay our respect to all Indigenous people of this land; ancestors, elders and young ones.
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