Canvas Groups Feature Redesign
Artifact type: System Evaluation/Redesign
Role: This was a group project in which I completed 33% of the project. My main focuses was on building the low and high-res prototype mockups. Due to our mockup system not allowing for full interaction capabilities, we utilized Captivate to fully build our module, in which I completed the initial development, of the layout, and coding.
Artifact Description: Tasked with redesigning a website or application that has visible usability issues, our group focused on the LMS Canvas. As everyday users, and having utilized the Group feature, we often found issues in its functionality. Following our selection, we completed a full Task and Procedural Analysis as well as Usability Test to find the most commonly used features and the problems that were commonly causing issues in its function and abilities to be assistive in group work. After analyzing our results, we as a group created a completely new format for the group feature to include social media features such as tagging, likes, notification abilities, as well as updated discussion board usability including simplified document and image attachment/embedding and several more.
Competency : Front-End Analysis and System Evaluation
Reflection: This was a wonderful group assignment that challenged us to utilize a lot of the skills we have learned throughout the program. During this process, I was able to utilize all my skill from Front End Analysis and Usability to fully analyze and assist in the creation of an updated and relevant use of the groups feature. Utilizing all of our skills in building and development we were able to find solutions to commonly occurring user and platform usability errors due to navigation, lack of usability heuristics, and streamlined procedures.
Strengths: The process allowed us to use our knowledge of social media and usability to find creative as well as commonly used solutions for usability problems. For example, we removed the step of initial uploading of images to Canvas, and instead created a new attachment and photo embedding feature that allowed for the selection of images directly from the computer. Furthermore, there were other features added into the new process to include accessibility issues to be addressed such as alt. text.
Weaknesses: Having used the system so often, it was difficult to be objective about the LMS when completing a needs assessment. I wasn’t as pleased with the visual layout of the redesign as well due to our prototyping tool lacking interactive abilities. The graphics in Captivate weren’t as eye catching as they were in our other tool, MockPlus.