Evaluating the usability of an interactive map activity for climate change education

Authors:
Vanessa L. Peters;Nancy Butler Songer
Affiliations:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI;University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Venue:
Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children
Year:
2011

Citing 5
Cited 0

Developing user interfaces: ensuring usability through product & process

Developing user interfaces: ensuring usability through product & process
Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction

Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction
Usability Engineering

Usability Engineering
The identification, implementation, and evaluation of critical user interface design features of computer-assisted instruction programs in mathematics for students with learning disabilities

Computers & Education
Online Learning: Designing for All Users

Journal of Usability Studies

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Abstract

We report the results of usability testing on a professional modeling tool designed to support students' learning about climate change impacts. Using a questionnaire and test responses as data sources, we evaluated the efficacy of an interactive map activity that was completed by 84 middle school students. An analysis of the data showed that students had difficulties manipulating simple data overlays when answering questions about tree distributions with the model. The findings from this study have implications for researchers who wish to design interactive map-based activities for science education, and for technology developers seeking to improve the usability of complex learning environments for middle school students.