User Experience Design and Usability Testing
When creating interactive learning objects, designers must take into consideration the experience of the user and create products that are accessible, functional and enjoyable to use.
In a talk entitled, The Fundamentals of User Experience, Amanda Morrow translated this topic into relatable analogies. She likened the designer’s job to one of a good parent, i.e. ‘”not overbearing and not neglectful”.
Her top ‘parenting tips for user design’ are:
- Guide them (don’t get in their way and don’t leave them hanging)
- Don’t confuse them (don’t frustrate them or make them feel stupid)
- Give feedback
- Set them up for success
- Be Human – We are humans interacting with other humans through technology and not humans interacting with technology.
Usability Tests
Usability tests are critical for designers of learning objects. Essentially the product is taken for a test drive and the users’ satisfaction and ability to complete the task is measured. Areas for improvement are identified. The responses I received from a usability test I created for my RLO lead to critical improvements on the project. These questions comprised my usability test:
General Look:
- Are the color choices appropriate or are they distracting?
- Are the images helpful? Do the images need further explanation?
- Does the choice of font and size seem appropriate?
- Did the nurse character seem appropriate?
- How was the word choice?
Quiz:
- Was the opening knowledge check too daunting? (especially the 2nd multiple choice question)
- Did the opening knowledge check serve to ‘prime’ you for the course to come?
- Are there enough quiz questions at the end?
- Is there sufficient information in the training to answer the quiz questions?
Navigation:
- Is the navigation clearly labeled and easy to use?
- Were you able to get out of the quiz after a wrong question sent you into a remediation loop?
General usability questions:
- Did the pace and timing of the slides seem appropriate?
- Did the external links work?
- Did the youtube videos load?
- Did the buttons work as expected?
- If you navigated out of a linear sequence, were you able to find your way back? How did you get there – the table of contents? The navigation bar?
Content organization:
- Is the information presented in a logical, understandable way?
- If not, how could the organization be improved?
Overall:
- What did you like best?
- What did you like least?
- What other suggestions or comments do you have?
Next – Storyboard