Lab4U

Stem Education App for iOS

Background

My role for this project was to create a heuristic analysis and re-design evaluation based on usability research methods, for the existing application that Lab4U has to currently offer. A startup company that is dedicated to STEM education and for democratizing the accessibility of science to underprivileged communities in Latin America as well as around the world.

How might we create a better experience for the user?

Problem

The client requested a design audit for their existing application: Lab4Physics. A STEM education based application used as an educational tool to teach physics at a grade school level.

Steps taken in the UX/UI process

Heuristic analysis
User test script
Usability tests
User test report
High fidelity design
suggestions

User test script.

A description of how the test will be conducted was given to the participants by also mentioning there are no right or wrong answers.

6 questions that involve tasks with the existing application were given and their actions were screen recorded.

Heuristic Analysis.

Heuristic Principle #6

Recognition rather than recall.

“Minimize the user's memory load by making objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information from one part of the dialogue to another. Instructions for use of the system should be visible or easily retrievable whenever appropriate” Good

Heuristic Principle #2

Match between system and real world.

“The system should speak the users' language, with words, phrases and concepts familiar to the user, rather than system-oriented terms. Follow real-world conventions, making information appear in a natural and logical order.” Good

Heuristic Principle #7

Flexibility and efficiency of use.

“Accelerators — unseen by the novice user — may often speed up the interaction for the expert user such that the system can cater to both inexperienced and experienced users. Allow users to tailor frequent actions.” Good.

Heuristic Principle #4

Consistency in Standards.

It could be more convenient and beneficial to have a static navigation bar on top, rather than a hidden one as a sidesheet. The toggle between tools and experiments at the top is unconventional. Noticeable but unlike what is current in the industry at the moment.

“Users should not have to wonder whether different words, situations, or actions mean the same thing. Follow.” Needs Improvement.

Heuristic Principle #9

Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors

Usability test feedback suggests to improve the help page with design and usability.

“Error messages should be expressed in plain language (no codes), precisely indicate the problem, and constructively suggest a solution.” Needs Improvement.

Heuristic Principle #10

Help and documentation.

As part of the experiment task, it would be helpful to include the required experiment tool in the first page description.

“Even though it is better if the system can be used without documentation, it may be necessary to provide help and documentation. Any such information should be easy to search, focused on the user's task, list concrete steps to be carried out, and not be too large.” Needs improvement.

Heuristic Principle #8

Aesthetic and minimalist design.

It could be more convinient and beneficial to have a static navigation bar on top, rather than a hidden one as a sidesheet.

“Dialogues should not contain information which is irrelevant or rarely needed. Every extra unit of information in a dialogue competes with the relevant units of information and diminishes their relative visibility.” Needs Improvement.

Heuristic Principle #6

Recognition rather than recall.

“Minimize the user's memory load by making objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information from one part of the dialogue to another. Instructions for use of the system should be visible or easily retrievable whenever appropriate” Good

Usability Tests followed…

User Test Report

The major results were:

Notify the user of their download selection.
Implement bullet points for the experiment process.
Adjust color palette to minimize tension.
Change the action buttons’ text size and color.

Two of the tests were done on site.

The other through zoom.

Implemented with participants in the household as well as a remote test with an experienced UX designer.

The goal was to obtain valuable feedback on usability and ease of navigation for users utilizing the application, whether an instructor, parent or student.

My method for testing was based on several possible scenarios obtained from a personal Lab4U design audit. Analyzing a commonly transited user flow (red route) in addition to a heuristic analysis.