Mobile content is twice as difficult [usability] — from Jakob Nielsen
Summary:

When reading from an iPhone-sized screen, comprehension scores for complex Web content were 48% of desktop monitor scores.

It’s more painful to use the Web on mobile phones than on desktop computers for many reasons:

  • Slower downloads
  • No physical keyboard for data entry
  • No mouse for selection; no mouse buttons to issue commands and access contextual menus (indeed fewer signaling states, as discussed further in our seminar on Applying HCI Principles to Real World Problems: a touchscreen only signals “finger-down/up,” whereas a mouse has hover state in addition to button press/release)
  • Small screen (often with tiny text)
  • Websites designed for desktop access instead of following the usability guidelines for mobile
  • App UIs that lack consistency

New research by R.I. Singh and colleagues from the University of Alberta provides one more reason: it’s much harder to understand complicated information when you’re reading through a peephole.

…rest of posting here.

From DSC:
With the above said, the mobile learning wave cannot — and most likely should not — be stopped. The types of devices we end up using may change, but mobile learning will move forward.

For one example of this, see:

Skype falls short as a web conferencing tool for everyday business use says webconferencing-test.com — from PRWeb.com

Millions have been using Skype privately for years. With its upgraded functionality, Skype now tries to appeal to business users in search of a web conferencing solution but cannot deliver. In a test of its functionalities and a following comparison to well-established web conferencing solutions, webconferencing-test.com revealed some major drawbacks.

Also see:
Skype: Great for private chats and calls, not so great for web conferencing — from webconferencing-test.com

25 user experience videos that are worth your time — from SmashingMagazine.com

We’re all mostly accustomed to educating ourselves by reading articles. Rare are the opportunities to attend conferences or watch live shows on subjects that we’re interested in. That’s why we are presenting here phenomenal videos and related resources on the topic of user experience (UX) by different presenters at different events. We have focused on current content but have included some older videos that are still relevant. It will take you more than 16 hours to watch all of these videos. So, make some popcorn, turn off the lights and enjoy.

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Finds: What Makes Design Seem Intuitive? — from Williams Instructional Design, LLC

This entertaining and informative presentation by Jared spool of User Interface Engineering on, “What Makes Design Seem Intuitive?,” addresses web design, but much of his message applies to instructional design as well. Some of the gems of insight include…(see posting)

From DSC:
When we put educational materials online, we instantly create a user interface.
From the students’ standpoints, how intuitive/usable are those interfaces?

When we don’t enforce some type of consistency in our online-based offerings, do we not put the monkeys on the back of our students to try and figure out how their current instructor does things (i.e. where the syllabus is, where the discussion board forums are, etc.)?

And might I add in here (which I realize is controversial), this is yet another reason why we need to move towards the use of teams in higher ed. One person can not do it all anymore…it’s just too big of a job now. We can’t expect our subject matter experts to be usability/interface design/instructional design/interaction design specialists.

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From DSC:

The posting below is a great resource for all educators — especially those involved with putting materials online — as well as for folks interested in interaction design/usability. Check it out!

There is power in digital storytelling (and eliciting emotion), so this posting really caught my eye! You might want to check out Francisco Inchauste’s blog as well. Nice work!


UX and Storytelling -- part 1

Better User Experience With Storytelling – Part One — from SmashingMagazine.com by Francisco Inchauste

Stories have defined our world. They have been with us since the dawn of communication, from cave walls to the tall tales recounted around fires. They have continued to evolve with their purpose remaining the same: To entertain, to share common experiences, to teach, and to pass on traditions.

Today we communicate a bit differently. Our information is fragmented across various mass-media channels and delivered through ever-changing technology. It has become watered down, cloned, and is churned out quickly in 140-character blurbs. We’ve lost that personal touch where we find an emotional connection that makes us care.

Resources

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