Software Usability Testing and Implementation

Assignment Overview

First, you should read the key documents relating to the definition and expression of usability. As you read, try to define for yourself as specifically as possible how you would assess usability. Remember, usability matters, because time matters—the argument for usability is heavily based on efficiency, not on aesthetics or people’s rights not to be put upon. The following course materials explain this context.

Interface Analysis Associates. (2012).User Interface Design and Usability (2009), retrieved from http://www.interface-analysis.com/IAA/

The Independent. (2011, March 22). Website redesign: A design for strife. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/website-redesign-a-design-for-strife-2248852.html

Krueger, M. (2011, August 12). Jakob Nielsen on usability for mobile sites and apps. Clickz. Retrieved from http://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/2099266/jakob-nielsen-usability-mobile-sites-apps

Nielsen, J. (2011). Defer secondary content when writing for mobile users. Useit.com. Retrieved from http://www.useit.com/alertbox/mobile-content.html

Usability First. (2011). What is usability? Here are few starting points. Retrieved from http://www.usabilityfirst.com/

Additionally, the case for this module extends the discussion of usability to consider the circumstances under which usability decisions are made and the processes governing such decisions. The course materials suggest that it is more productive to train designers in usability principles ahead of time rather than subjecting everything to post-design testing.

Assignment Expectations

After reading the courses materials, discuss the following questions.
1.What do you believe are the appropriate criteria for assessing usability? Who should make such judgments? How should disagreements about usability be resolved?
2.What recommendations would you provide for usability training for course developers Trident University? What recommendations would you suggest for course developer for usability testing of their courses?

For the second question, you are to present your recommendations for how the full-time Trident faculty charged with course development and maintenance should be trained in usability principles and how the usability of their products (individual courses) should be tested and monitored. Remember that all Trident courses are structured within the same five-module learning structure, consisting of introduction, case, background and project, even though there may be considerable variation in how these are implemented across courses and faculty. Please feel free to draw upon specific courses that you may have had for illustrations as necessary. The more specific you can be about what the training should consist of and what resources can be used in it, the better.

Length: Minimum 6-10 pages excluding cover page and references (since a page is about 300 words, this is approximately 1,800 –3,000 words).

Assignment-driven criteria (25 points): Demonstrates clear understanding of the subject and addresses all key elements of the assignment.

Critical thinking (10 points): Demonstrates mastery conceptualizing the problem. Shows analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of required material.

Scholarly writing (5 points): Demonstrates writing proficiency at the academic level of the course; addresses the Learning Outcomes of the assignment.

Quality of references (4 points) and assignment organization (3 points): Uses relevant and credible sources to support assertions. Assignment is well organized and follows the structure of a well-written paper.

Citing sources (3 points): Uses in-text citations and properly formats references in APA style