Usage Scenario: The active user experiments
Description:
Yonggang is beginning his project on the virtual school. He logs into the
software and clicks on the notebook in his profile. A notebook appears.
He begins trying to type in the notebook and is confused when nothing that
he is typing appears. Unsure of how to get his notebook working and realizing
that none of his group members are available since their names are not
highlighted, he begins clicking on things that appear clickable. He tries
the bar at the bottom of the notebook which currently says unlocked. This
changes the status of the bar to Locked by You. The change makes him wonder
if he is now capable of typing in the notebook. He tries answering a question
and notes that he can now type. He begins answering his questions and decides
that he would like to italicize one of the quotes he is using to explain
the conclusion of his group's science experiment. He notes that the tool
bar appears a lot like that of word and the drag down menus also appear
similar. He clicks on the italicize button types his text, and then clicks
on the italicize button again to turn the italics off.
Claims for Scenario:
The fact that clicking on a notebook's name makes it appear
+supports an active user's first instinct
+makes for a consistent interface since user profiles appear when a
user's name is clicked
-BUT new users may assume that the will be able to use the notebook
right away
The use of a tool bar for certain formatting options
+supports an active user by making use of knowledge that he probably already
has from other applications
-BUT users too accustomed to the tool bar may not know how to find
other options contained in pull down menus
-BUT tool bar options which are not the same as in other applications
may be difficult to understand
-BUT users may assume that options normally available on the tool bar
are not availabe if they do not appear on the tool bar
The use of pull down menus in the notebook
+reaffirms its similarity to other word processing applications
+allows the user to readily see what options are available
-BUT options may not be in locations that users are used to
-BUT some options may not be available that are available in word (such
as spell check)
-BUT users may not make use of options available on the virtual school
which are not available on applications they are more familiar with