Please see the attached assignment, which covers the subject for the memo and the procedure for conducting the usability test. The test procedure uses a standard format for instructions, although it lacks photos. The usability test procedure also follows below.

The usability test shows how well users use instructions to accomplish a task. The standard approach to doing a usability test is to have the user follow the "speak$-$aloud" protocol. The usability test is an important part of the reflective memo for the instructions project. After testing the instructions on a user, make revisions to your instructions based on the user's feedback. The procedure for a usability test follows:

Survey the user$($s$).$ You can use an online survey tool like Survey Monkey. The best surveys are short$--$less than five $(5)$ questions. The purpose of an initial survey is to find out the user's skill level, demographic background, and attitudes about the instructions and the product. The questions can be information questions, yes$/$no questions, or Likert scale questions. You can also use a paper instrument for recording verbal survey questions.

A facilitator should explain the "speak$-$aloud" protocol to the test subject. The speak$-$aloud protocol has the user say every thought aloud related to the instructions as they are building the product. A recorder $($or the facilitator$)$ records everything the users says. An observer also takes notes on every action the user performs as they are building the product. You are looking for errors, confusion, false starts, and frustrations.

The final phase of the usability test is the interview. Prepare about three interview questions for the user about their experience using the instructions. You are looking for what worked and what didn't work well in the instructions. You are seeking the user's advice. The best approach to conducting interviews is to have a few open ended questions. Let the interview subject take the lead. Don't ask leading questions or try to shape or control the user's answers.

Record the results of the usability test in your reflective memo. Revise and improve your instructions based on the usability test findings.Lego Instructions Memo

Write a memo which describes the approach you used to composing Lego instructions.

Describe your instructions.

Describe the decision making process used to design the instructions.

Provide the results of your usability test.

Conclude with a reflective statement on what makes good instruction design. State the faults in

your instructions, which you discovered in the usability test. How would you re$-$design your

instructions to correct those faults?

Usability Test

Interview the test subject

prior to the test.

Use the "Speak$-$aloud$-$

protocol" to learn about the

subject's thinking process as

they build the Lego creation.

Interview the subject after

the test to understand the

subject's opinions about the

instructions.

Include the results of the

usability test in your reflective

memo to make decisions

about the best practices in

instruction design.

Profiling the Test Subject

Compose a short list of questions that will help you profile

the test subject. People may differ in their ability to "play"

with Legos based on age, gender, and past experiences.

Taking Notes

Have a note taker sit beside the test subject as they try to

follow the instructions and build the Lego creation. Tell the

subject to say out loud every thought related to the task of

building the Lego and record their thoughts. Focus on their

step$-$by$-$step goals and what helps or hinders achieving

those goals.

Interviewing after the Test

Compose a short list of questions that ask the test subject

to reflect on their experience with the instructions.

Organizing your Information

Use quotes, a bulleted list of findings, and a narrative

statement to summarize what the usability test revealed

about quality of your instructions and what you would

change to make improvements.