Usability Test Notes

UMBC Insights Online (www.umbc.edu/insights)

John Fritz

October 5, 2001

Background

I interviewed four people over two days: one graduate student, one faculty member and two staff, one of whom works for OIT. Overall, people liked the look and feel of the Insights Online, but a few tweaks could make it better. For example:

• While the current version of Insights has been redesigned, there have been other online versions. This site should link to them and develop a permanent archive for all future versions. One user asked how to find past issues.

• Three of the four users tested found that the graphic icons at the top of the contents page didn’t go to separate sections, but instead were used as relative anchors to subsections on the main contents page. These icons should just take the user directly to the sub-sections, which are provided anyway.

• One user thought the 1500 word Q & A on Kathy Odell was pushing the limit for online reading. Also, the user couldn’t tell who wrote the piece because the byline was at the very end. Suggested rule of thumb: add bylines to the top of long stories, and at the bottom of short ones.

• None of the users actually used the “Live Online” section to the left, even though all agreed this was prominent. One user thought “live” was suggestive of a chat session and didn’t want any part of that. Another thought the section could be made more visible through the use of brighter colors or a box border, to make it stand out. However, I think the word “live” is throwing them off. Instead, maybe use the term “UMBC Video” or “Video News.” Once we looked at the available samples, everyone liked them and said they would like to see more.

• Wherever possible, add more photos. One user thought the front page is a bit text heavy, which is unavoidable for a contents page. But once inside stories—maybe even in sections—try to liven the space with graphics or images.

• Suggested text links in the navigation toolbar: UMBC home and Insights Home. One or two users weren’t sure how to get back to either, particularly insights. When they saw that the logo was a link, they thought it should be in the toolbar.

• While Insights does a good job consistently soliciting reader feedback or input in individual sections and stories, a better (i.e., obvious) overall invitation is needed. When asked how they might provide feedback, most users selected the “Email Insights” link, which only launched their email client, if it was properly set up. It would be better to have a form, maybe with some drop down options (e.g., send a letter, suggest a story, submit a photo, etc.) as well as a listing of the editorial staff and contact info. The current staff box is buried in the About UMBC section and doesn’t include any contact info or email links.

• Insights might do a little better to utilize the left-side gray bar. In addition to UMBC video highlights, using this space as a billboard for key events might also draw more people to the university calendar.