Introduction to the Special Student Issue

The lifeblood of any discipline is its students. Because they are acquiring the knowledge of the discipline for the first time, they add new perspectives and provide their own contexts. They also bring a sense of enthusiasm and even joy to their work. Because our field focuses on the nexus between humans and technology, and […] [Read More]

Improving Voter Experience Through User Testing and Iterative Design

Abstract The principal focus of this report was to identify practical and correctable problems with the voting process and to mitigate those problems through careful application of human factors techniques. We developed a survey questionnaire to identify issues with the voting process and found that respondents consistently reported that wait times and lines were the […] [Read More]

How Hard Can It Be to Place a Ballot Into a Ballot Box? Usability of Ballot Boxes in Tamper Resistant Voting Systems

Abstract End-to-end verifiable voting methods are an emerging type of voting system, and a number of new designs are being actively developed. Many of these systems try to mirror current paper voting methods and use a paper ballot that can be scanned and then placed into a ballot box. Previous research has shown that having […] [Read More]

Investigating the Usability of E-Textbooks Using the Technique for Human Error Assessment

Abstract Many schools and universities are starting to offer e‑textbooks as an alternative to traditional paper textbooks; however, limited research has been done in this area to examine their usability. This study aimed to investigate the usability of eight e‑textbook reading applications on a tablet computer using the Technique for Human Error Assessment (THEA). The […] [Read More]

Learning to Use, Useful for Learning: A Usability Study of Google Apps for Education

Abstract Using results from an original survey instrument, this study examined student perceptions of how useful Google Apps for Education (GAFE) was in students’ learning of core concepts in a first-year college composition course, how difficult or easy it was for students to interact with GAFE, and how students ranked specific affordances of the technology […] [Read More]

Rhetorical Grounding and an Agile Attitude: Complex Systems, Multi-Genre Testing, and Service Learning in UX

Abstract This article describes a graduate-level service learning usability project and illustrates the practical tensions generated by increasing complexity in technology design. Although a foundational body of usability research prescribes standards for high-quality test design, such guidelines may not be applicable or practical in a particular context. Usability students and professionals benefit from allowing themselves […] [Read More]

An Experience in Requirements Prototyping with Young Deaf Children

Abstract Deaf children are an underrepresented group in technology development, despite the potential technology available to aid them in language acquisition. Requirements elicitation prototyping allows Deaf children to act in an informant role in the creation of key technologies. This paper presents a case study of requirements elicitation prototyping conducted with young Deaf children in […] [Read More]