Redesigning the Redesigning the Graphical Interface of the Graphical Interface of the

CreativeEDUCreativeEDU Web Web ApplicationApplication

By Ulysses Lamont By Ulysses Lamont Cannon & Cannon & Hínár Hínár György PolczerGyörgy Polczer

INLS 180 - Summer 2006

Outline

• About CreativeEDU in General• The Problems• A Possible Solution• Why the GUI?• Research Approach• Design Decisions• Expected Results

About CreativeEDU in General• Web Application• Portable Favorites/Bookmarks• Educational web site links for elementary

educators, students and parents• Bookmark Groups to cluster resources (web links)

together• Sharable and expendable resources• Education-specific resources (rather than Google)

The Problem

• Teachers’ resistance to technology

• Computer anxiety • Educational software lack

user-centered design• Internet is not utilized in

classrooms frequently

A Possible Solution

• We cannot address all the factors affecting technology use in elementary education

• Creating a new, more graphical user interface

• Designing the UI with teachers in mind

Why the GUI? Why the GUI? This is the factor of technology resistance that is This is the factor of technology resistance that is

the easiest for us to accessthe easiest for us to access

Helping teachers to get comfortable with this Helping teachers to get comfortable with this system will most likely affect how much they use system will most likely affect how much they use other technology resourcesother technology resources

The present system seems confusing and scary The present system seems confusing and scary for users not comfortable with text-based for users not comfortable with text-based interfacesinterfaces

An inviting and pretty interface might ease users’ An inviting and pretty interface might ease users’ anxietiesanxieties

Research Approach

• Analysis of present system

• Testing by various users

• Feedback from educators

• Exploring functional and interaction needs by interviewing teachers

• Matching up suggestions with system goals

Design DecisionsDesign Decisions

Based on web usability Based on web usability standardsstandards

Applying models and theories Applying models and theories discussed in classdiscussed in class Communication Communication User InteractionUser Interaction BrowsingBrowsing

Design DecisionsDesign Decisions

Improve aesthetics to be more Improve aesthetics to be more welcomingwelcoming

Use of graphical tools like icons and Use of graphical tools like icons and pictures along with textpictures along with text

Use of more relevant terminology Use of more relevant terminology Use concepts that teachers and Use concepts that teachers and

average users are more familiar withaverage users are more familiar with i.e. Bookmark Collection in lieu of i.e. Bookmark Collection in lieu of

Lesson, Bookmark in lieu of Lesson, Bookmark in lieu of ResourceResource

Design DecisionsDesign Decisions

Navigation that is easy to follow Navigation that is easy to follow even for novice users (with very even for novice users (with very basic computer knowledge)basic computer knowledge)

Use of navigation elements Use of navigation elements consistentlyconsistently

Incorporate icons and non-verbal Incorporate icons and non-verbal queues in navigation toolsqueues in navigation tools

Clear and simple navigationClear and simple navigation

Design DecisionsDesign Decisions

Wizards to guide users through Wizards to guide users through features and proceduresfeatures and procedures

Inform users of their interactions Inform users of their interactions with the systemwith the system i.e. display “your bookmark has i.e. display “your bookmark has

been added”, “you have been added”, “you have successfully registered” and solicit successfully registered” and solicit confirmation when deletingconfirmation when deleting

Expected Results

• Direct: A more user-friendly interface More efficient system functionality A more comprehensive and conceptually sound

system design

• Indirect: Teachers will start using the system They can use it easier and more efficiently Teachers will share this resource (and the

resources it offers) with others Teachers become more comfortable using more

and newer technology resources

We are done!

Thank you for your attention!

Your presenters: Lamont & Hinár