All too often, software solutions for learning (eLearning, performance support, mobile apps, or LMSs) are designed and implemented without involving feedback from the end user. This practice can produce well-intentioned but ultimately unhelpful applications. Today’s development tools provide the opportunity to easily build interactive and complex eLearning experiences, but in order to be effective those experiences need to be well designed and usable.

In this workshop you will learn the essential best practices for implementing user-centered design. You will explore analysis techniques such as contextual inquiry and card sorting. You will learn the importance of conducting usability test as well as how to prototype using simple and common tools. You will create an inexpensive, fast, and effective implementation and evaluation plan for your projects; and you will leave this workshop with the tools you need to ensure you are creating excellent, usable, and useful solutions.

In this session, you will learn:

• How to effectively use user-centered analysis techniques like contextual inquiry and card sorting
• How to easily create prototypes that effectively show interactivity
• How to create and implement a usability-testing plan
• How to avoid the common implementation errors that can sink a technology project

Audience:
Novice and intermediate designers, developers, project managers, and managers. Some awareness of the field of user experience will be helpful, but is not required.

Technology discussed in this session:
Rapid-prototyping tools (Powerpoint, Balsamiq, Axure) and user-testing tools (web conferencing, Morae).

Participant technology needs:
Participants should bring laptops that, at a minimum, have PowerPoint. You can download trial copies of other prototyping software such as Balsamiq or Axure during the workshop.