Please complete the usability test below by replying to this blog entry.
Usability Test
Please refer to the instructions provided. If you are an expert computer user, use the expert instructions, otherwise use the novice instructions. Indicate which instructions you used. The tasks involve using a program called the Purdue Course Search Application. Try to complete each of the following tasks below. If you are able to complete the tasks, describe any difficulties that you encountered that the instructions did not help you with. Did the instructions help at all? How? If you were not able to complete the task, please explain why. How do you think the instructions can be improved to help you?
- Add ENGL 10600 Lecture Section 294 to the schedule.
- Add CS 24000 Laboratory 004 from the schedule.
- Remove ENGL 10600 Lecture Section 294 from the schedule.
What do you like about the instructions document? Can it be improved even more? What don’t you like about the document? Suggest some ways to improve it.
Thank you.
Usability Test: Expert
I used the expert set of instructions to complete your usability test.
Steps 1-6 were all very straight forward, and adding classes with this system seems very easy. Did you create this software yourself? It seems pretty cool.
It could have just been a problem with my internet or your web server, but when trying to add CS 24000, once I typed this in the search box it just said "Searching" and never found any results. Also your inconsistent use of bold makes it kind of hard for me to pick out the important parts. It seems you've chosen bold to highlight tasks that the user actually needs to perform, but I think it would be easier on the eyes if you limited the bold words to only certain keywords such as "Click", "Go to:", "Select" etc, instead of entire phrases.
Also the instructions for removing a class (steps 1-2) were spot on. However I found I had to look back at the instructions because the design/functionality here is different than most apps on the web. Usually it takes 2 clicks to perform a task such as deleting. The first click selects what you want to remove or delete, and the second actually chooses to delete/remove it. In this app, simply selecting it deletes it. Are you sure this is the best choice?
I really like the Reference Guide at the end of the expert instruction set. This is a great visual tool, and would really help an expert user. In fact, if I were using this instruction set in the real world, in all honesty I would probably skip all the text instructions and go right to this section.
Testing
I chose to complete the novice instructional packet, to differ from the previous usability test.
From first glance, I really liked the format and layout of these instructions. They're very easy on the eye and simple to follow. I also like the usage of color and images to help guide the user.
One immediate recommendation that I would make, would be to add a new initial step that explains selecting the proper academic term. When I went to the website, this is the first page I saw. It's not that it was difficult or anything, but I think it just seems proper to begin the instructions at this point, especially for the novice user.
Aside from this, I think the process is very thoroughly outlined and made simple for almost anyone to perform. I had no trouble adding or removing any courses using the methods that you provided. One concern, though, that you might want to consider noting are possible hurtles that the user may face. These could include any software errors such as an overlapping in scheduled times.
As the previous tester noted, I'm also not a huge fan of the font editing and would recommend removing some of the bolding. I won't go into it much though, as I think he explained it well. I'd also recommend sticking with only one editing method at a time, such as bolding or italic.
One final note is that I really liked the reference guide listed at the end. I think this is a great, simple way of wrapping up your instructions and that it is also very easy to understand and take advantage of.