Usability Testing - tech-ed-workshops

Presenter: Shane Lovellette Room #: 203B

Date: 3/26/2007 @ 3:45:00 PM - 4:45:00 PM

Category: Hands-on Computer Lab

Theme: Conquering The Digital Divide

Sub Theme: NICE - New, Inspiring, Creative & Educational

Ed Level: ALL EDUCATIONAL LEVELS

Tech. Prof.: ALL TECHNOLOGY LEVELS

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Organization: TechSmith

Description: Can people easily use your Web sites? Can students use the new software? Learn how usability testing shows you what actions the user took, but also why and how.

Abstract: Morae: Morae is the world's leading all-digital application for usability testing and user experience research, because it enables organizations to observe how customers really interact with a Web site or application. Morae eliminates the constraints of a lab facility recordings can be conducted in the office, in the field, or remotely over the Internet with UserVue. And, this flexibility means that Morae can be easily integrated into the design process. Morae automatically records and synchronizes screen video of the user's experience with audio of the user's comments, video of the user's facial expressions, and rich, behind-the-scenes interaction data. Once testing is complete, the entire study can be analyzed to pinpoint problems and to measure efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction. For those new to user research, Morae automatically calculates industry-standard usability measures, but it is also flexible enough to allow experienced professionals to customize their own metrics. Highlight videos can be produced to easily communicate the issues with designers, developers, and managers. The videos are a powerful way to present usability problems because they eliminate debate there's no denying an issue when you can see real users struggling with a design. The team is then free to focus on implementing design changes that make Web sites and software easier to use. UserVue: Need to test remotely? UserVue allows you to do it. UserVue is a Web-based service that allows you to remotely connect to, interact with, observe and record users as they navigate an application or Web site. It's easy to use, firewall-friendly, and painless for participants. - Activities: Through a PowerPoint presentation, video, and real-time demonstration, educators will learn what usability testing is, how Morae and UserVue work, and how schools are using them today. - Anticipated Outcomes: Session attendees will learn how to perform usability tests with Morae and UserVue, which testing methods would best suit them, and have a better understanding of how th software and service work. - Methodology for integrating new technology: Morae and UserVue are on the cutting edge of usability research. They're being used by top institutions and businesses. The presentation will walk the attendees through how they work, how they can work separately or with each other, and how they can help people learn what improvements they need to make to software and Web sites. - Provide research findings: In 2006, Forrester Research, an independent technology and market research company, released a study that found people want to shift more customers to self-service channels. They've found that "improving usability is the most effective way to accomplish that goal." They reported, "To support these efforts, firms will generally maintain or increase the amount they spend on customer experience improvement in 2006, with the biggest boosts accruing to tools and trades that help companies better understand their customers' behavior." Understanding customer behavior is best done through software and services like Morae and UserVue. - Describe plan: The session will include a PowerPoint presentation, video, real-time demonstration of software, interactive input from the audience, handouts, and a question/answer period. - Relevancy to theme, fresh content, presenter knowledge This cutting edge technology will assist organizations in improving their school's Web site and software offerings. The session leader is involved in every step of developing the products and is eager to show educators how other schools are using the products.