User testing

Make teams of three (5 min)

Design an alarm clock (25 min)

Create an interactive, testable prototype of an alarm clock supports the following tasks:

• Set the current 12-hour time in hours and minutes and confirm that it is correctly set.
• Set the 12-hour alarm time and confirm that it is set.
• Disable the alarm and confirm that it is not set.

Your clock must be interactive and provide feedback!

You will write your own descriptions for the above goals.

Write a user test protocol (15 min)

Include the following:

• Thank your participant for participating
• Remind them that you're testing the design, not them
• Teach them how to think aloud
• Let them ask questions before they begin
• Have them attempt each task while thinking out loud; don't answer questions that would help directly with the goal
• Explain how to complete failed tasks, reassure them that its the design that failed, not them

Your script should contain the three tasks above.

Run multiple user tests (25 min)

• Raise your hand to show participants that you're ready for a participant
• Two people stay behind and run the study
• One is the experimenter
• One writes down breakdowns that occur
• Everyone else on the team should look for teams holding up their hands
• Participate in two studies, then return to your group and swap with someone
• Wait at the front if no group is ready
• Everyone should participate in at least 2 studies

Debrief (5 min)

• What was most difficult about running these studies?
• Do you have clear insights about what caused breakdowns (or success)?
• What was the effect of your instructions on your participants' success?
• How would you change your design?

Credit (5 min)

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