Cooperative Inquiry

A participatory design methodology that involves children as full design partners throughout the technology development process, from initial brainstorming through prototyping and evaluation. Developed by Allison Druin and colleagues, cooperative inquiry treats children not merely as testers or informants but as co-designers who contribute ideas, critique designs, and help shape the direction of a project over an extended period. In accessibility research, this approach is particularly valuable for designing inclusive educational technologies, as it ensures that children with disabilities — who are often excluded from standard user research — have meaningful input into tools intended for them. The method emphasises long-term engagement, typically spanning months, allowing researchers to build trust and understanding with child participants.