Conclusions and Suggestions for Improvement
Based on our scenarios, claims analysis and NGOMSL analysis, we are
offering the following conclusions and suggestions for the Cyber1114 site:
Navigation Bar
For the most part, we do not try to draw conclusions based strictly on the
NGOMSL analysis. The major intent of the analysis is to identify all the
possible methods for accomplishing particular goals, and also to identify
the consequences of choosing one method over another. In many cases,
designers and instructors reported that buttons were under-used or mis-used.
And in still other cases, designers were unaware of all the possible methods.
Though the suggestions surfaced as a result of performing the NGOMSL
analysis, they do not necessarily come about because one method has
x operators more than another.
- The duplication of the methods for "Back" and "Return" is unnecessary
at this time. Unless the intent is to add hyperlinking within the
presentations, the "Return" button can be removed.
- The value of the "Return" button is restored if extensive hyperlinking
is added. Presentations currently have a procedural order. Since
hyperlinking would allow the user to "jump" from place to place, the
"Return" button would be necessary to get the user directly back to the
point from which he or she jumped.
- The "Go" button is can only be effective if the user knows the content
of the pages that are displayed in the pop-up window. Currently, the
names which are displayed are the abbreviated names used by the programmer,
and are therefore confusing to the user. Meaningful names would be
required to make this button useful.
- The "Search" button has the potential to be a valuable button. When
the user types in a word or phrase to be searched, all of the pages that
apply to the search can be previewed before they are selected.
Scenarios and Claims
- The basic interface of the Presentations evaluates very well in terms
of Shneiderman's 8 properties of Direct Manipulation.
- The learning curve for using the Presentations is expected to be very
low. This is a key
characteristic since having to spend a great deal of time getting
accustomed to the interface would deter from the main instruction of the
subject matter.
- Demos which are not easily reset by a single click should be changed
as soon as possible.
- Demos which cannot be displayed on a single page cannot be reset easily.
Another method for displaying them would be beneficial.
- Users must first use the "Back" button and then the "Next" button
to return to the start of a demo which cannot fit on one page. This is
inconsistent with other similar demos.
- The actions for loading quizzes is inconsistent with what is expected.
Immediately display the Hyberbook is confusing and superfluous.
- Students should have the ability to review their quiz answers before
they are submitted.
- Students should have the ability to return to questions they skipped.