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Uzilla.net Usability Testing Classroom Exercise

What is Uzilla.net

Uzilla.net combines a instrumented browser with a test design and reporting server for web based usability testing.

Requirements:

• At least one computer per 3 students is recommended.
• Computers must have an internet connection.
• Virtually any computer operating system is supported: Windows, Linux, Solaris, OS/2, Macintosh.
  
• The Uzilla program files must be available:
• No files need to be installed, the executable can simply be run.
• An auto-run CD is available (on Windows).

Process:

1. Opening Lecture
1. Introduce the exercise: hands-on session in which we'll both be participants and analysts in a simplified usability test process.
   
2. Introduce usability testing
1. Uses subjective time estimation to assess ease of use
2. Correlation of time-estimated/actual-time with ease of use ranking
   
3. Introduce Uzilla.net
1. Available free for student projects
2. Modeled on National Institute of Standards and Technology's Common Industry Format (CIF) protocol.
   
2. Conducting the test
1. Introducing the protocol
1. Limitations: no video, no verbal protocol.
2. Orientation: summative
3. Result Presentation: see teacher's guide.
   
4. Student Data Analysis Exercise: see teacher's guide and student instructions.
   

Customization

Due to the A vs B comparison aspect of this setup, this exercise can be tailored to a more experimental psychology focus.