IKIT 2005Toronto

Usability Testing Virtual Margins

cjf@sfu.ca

the context

Knowledge building environment

typically web based forum

the situation

There are two dialogs:

people with each other

person with themself

people with others

Conversation is public

others can read and contributeto the discussion

person with themself

Conversation is privatenot sharedimpermanent

the problem

How does one remember one's private conversations?

Memories are too short

Paper is too cumbersome

Forum interface is not designed for private conversations

a solution

Forum interface element designed to support people's remembering

Similar to paper marginsthoughts maintain their context

Virtual Margin

A private permanent spacepeople can record their thoughts

Retains its context

how might this work?

Example 1:

how might this work?

Example 1:

how might this work?

Example 2:

how might this work?

Example 2:

which one is more usable?

In effect, does the position of the scroll bars matter?

test group

Four grad studentstwo men & two women

Repurposed their Knowledge Forum postings

Prototype web application chose one of the two presentations

result

One box vs. Two boxes did not matter

difference was not noticed

more results

Comments

Questions

Requests

Difficulties

comments

It's a thinking pad

This is a place to collect my thoughts

questions

Trust:

How long do the comments stay?

How do comments move into the forum?

Features:

Why is input position always at the top?

Can I look at all the comments in one spot?

requests

Margin not indicator at the view level

Summary view – notes “bubble up”

difficulties

Cut and paste

Forum content and margin content reflow independently

conclusion

Adding a virtual margin opens up new ways for people to interact with their own ideas as well as those of other forum participants

How would people really use this?

the problem