Design implications from a usability study of GramStain-Tutor[sup TM].

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Title: Design implications from a usability study of GramStain-Tutor[sup TM].
Authors: Kim, Sara, Brock, Douglas M., Orkand, Adam, Astion, Michael L.
Source: British Journal of Educational Technology. Nov2001, Vol. 32 Issue 5, p595. 11p. 1 Black and White Photograph.
Subject Terms: *Media programs (Education), *Medical science education, *Computer assisted instruction, *Computer interfaces, *Interactive computer systems
Abstract: To examine interface issues in an educational software program, we recruited twenty-two users in health sciences departments for a usability study. Using the GramStain-Tutor™ (GST) CD-ROM, these users performed tasks in navigating the program and using various interactive features. Their actions and comments were recorded with a digital video recorder and an audio recorder. The main results of our study are: (a) the majority of the users did not use the multiple navigational options available in the program; (b) navigational patterns differed based on the training background and content knowledge of the users; (c) several visual cues critical to program use were not discovered by the majority of the users; and (d) icons representing specific functions were not intuitive from users' perspectives. We demonstrated how a usability study of a relatively small number of users can identify specific problems in interface design. We recommend these interface problems be addressed before conducting educational studies that examine how educational software programs affect student learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of British Journal of Educational Technology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: Design implications from a usability study of GramStain-Tutor[sup TM].
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kim%2C+Sara%22">Kim, Sara</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Brock%2C+Douglas+M%2E%22">Brock, Douglas M.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Orkand%2C+Adam%22">Orkand, Adam</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Astion%2C+Michael+L%2E%22">Astion, Michael L.</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22British+Journal+of+Educational+Technology%22">British Journal of Educational Technology</searchLink>. Nov2001, Vol. 32 Issue 5, p595. 11p. 1 Black and White Photograph.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Media+programs+%28Education%29%22">Media programs (Education)</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Medical+science+education%22">Medical science education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+assisted+instruction%22">Computer assisted instruction</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+interfaces%22">Computer interfaces</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interactive+computer+systems%22">Interactive computer systems</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: To examine interface issues in an educational software program, we recruited twenty-two users in health sciences departments for a usability study. Using the GramStain-Tutor™ (GST) CD-ROM, these users performed tasks in navigating the program and using various interactive features. Their actions and comments were recorded with a digital video recorder and an audio recorder. The main results of our study are: (a) the majority of the users did not use the multiple navigational options available in the program; (b) navigational patterns differed based on the training background and content knowledge of the users; (c) several visual cues critical to program use were not discovered by the majority of the users; and (d) icons representing specific functions were not intuitive from users' perspectives. We demonstrated how a usability study of a relatively small number of users can identify specific problems in interface design. We recommend these interface problems be addressed before conducting educational studies that examine how educational software programs affect student learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of British Journal of Educational Technology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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              Text: Nov2001
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