Students prepare and carry out a test of their prototype with one or more users.
The method provides students with valuable insight into how users experience the prototype, allowing them to improve it.
Students clarify what they want to learn from their user test.
For example:
– How does the user interact with the prototype?
– Does the user understand how the prototype works?
– How can we improve the user experience?
Students prepare their test using the worksheet Preparing for a User Test: How will the test be conducted, and how will data be collected?
For example:
– The user tries out the solution while the students film and/or observe.
– The students prepare questions for a user interview, such as: How did it feel to use the prototype? What was most confusing? What changes would make it more user-friendly?
The students identify one or more users who match the target group the prototype was developed for. They contact the user to set up a meeting and explain the purpose of the test.
The students agree on which roles they will take during the test. Who will introduce the test (test leader), who will observe and document (observer), and who will ask follow-up questions (interviewer).
The test begins. The students observe and take notes on how the user interacts with the prototype. They can ask the user to describe their experience along the way, so the students gain deeper insight into the user’s thoughts, preferences, and reasoning.
The students ask follow-up questions to gain insight into the user’s experience with the prototype.
The students adjust and improve the prototype, including its functionality and user-friendliness, based on the tests they conducted. They may consider whether additional user tests are needed after the adjustments to ensure the changes have the desired effect.
Optionally, use the Prototyping method so that students have developed something in advance that they can test on one or more users.
In preparing for the test, students can develop a series of realistic challenges or scenarios that the test participants must solve using the prototype.
Students may choose to video record the test. Of course, they must get the test person’s consent to do so.
If it’s difficult to find test participants outside the classroom, the test can also be carried out as a roleplay, where some students take on the role of users and put themselves in their place.
It is important that the user experiences the prototype without the students explaining or assisting along the way.
If students test with multiple users, they can use the Similarities and Differences method to analyze the results.
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