Last class focused eon usability studies, and highlighted two methods you can (and will) use to revise your documentation: guided evaluations or heuristic evaluations; and lab-controlled user testing.
These concepts will help you as you revise Project 2 and as we begin Project 3, which is a recommendation report based on usability testing.
Looking forward:
we will develop usability tests for a document in Friday's class. This is the first (and is a required) activity for Project 3
Next week, I will assign you one day to attend class to participate in usability tests of your peers' documents (Activity 3.2)
You can attend more than your assigned class session, but you will need to help another group do usability testing
Implications: Because I am only asking you to attend 1 class next week, I lowered the upper thresholds for attendance, notes, and exit tickets
Anabelle
Henry
Agustin
Kyle
Kendra
Migo
Kathan
Kosuke
Esperanza
George
Anzhuo
Jake
Helen
Lucas
Nick
Langston
Safeeyah
Michelle
Kira
Liam
Ethan
Pippa
Birtu
OPTION 1: Design a usability test script for one of the following people:
OPTION 2: You may also design a usability test script for your own tool, especially if it is one you have access to and can test with other people.
Your test should take no more than 15 minutes.
If you plan to work with a peer's documentation, go find them in this room. Talk through their concerns and interests for feedback. Then, you may all work together as you design a usability test protocol.
You should follow Markel and Selber’s guidance (see p. 11-12 especially)
You should include the following sections:
Begin Test
Introduce Yourself
State the Goals of the Study
Describe What Participants Should Expect
Include an accessible link to your documentation *ALL OTHER STUDENTS MUST BE ABLE TO ACCESS*
Throughout the session, it will be really helpful if you think aloud as much as possible. Talk to me about what you’re doing, what you’re thinking, an anything about the document that is confusing. And if you need to take a break at any point, just let me know.
Do you have any questions before we start?
Begin Tasks
Design 2 tasks related to your documentation on its own
Write several questions for the administrator to ask: (e.g., tell me what you think is the purpose of this page? What kinds of information would you expect to find here?
Design follow up questions the administrator can ask for each task
Design 1 task that uses your documentation to complete another task (e.g., brewing coffee)
Include guidance reminding participants to "think aloud" as they complete the tasks
Design follow up questions the administrator can ask for each task