2.+Navigation+and+Access+Routes


 * Navigation and Access Routes **

I think that the Navigational and Flow Framework fits here, actually. So, here it is! JJ http://www.mywebspiration.com/view/630653a27312


 * Decisions to make: do we want to use textual navigation buttons or graphical? As is, I have
 * used buttons with text in the mock-up - we could change the 'back' button to a black left pointing arrow linked to back, and the 'home' button to a house image, linked to the home page.
 * This is a mock-up only, and does not reflect what the actual buttons will look like in our final design - so which way should we go? Thoughts?
 * Or, we could use a combination of image/text ... as I've done on the 'Sample Story' page in the mock-up (pictured to the right), but doing so does make the page a little more cluttered. //I like the idea of text and image...hopefully simple but instinctive for users.I really like the images of the little guy! What costs would be involved in using them?//

Usability Points to Cover: //Here's my OTHER!!!// //I'm so impressed with the mock -up.// //I agree that the simpler and more understandable the button directions, the better. So, using simple but clear graphics, i.e. the visual has intuitiveness built in somehow. However, I think the addition of simple text commands would benefit to users...different types of learners?// //Should we include recorded voice commands for each section...able to be deactivated once user remembers procedures? I'm not sure HOW one would do this however...willing to try and find out though if interested?//
 * consistently placed navigation elements
 * descriptive text and images
 * links allow users to move back or home from each page
 * help button is available on each page to assist users with difficulties and provide guidance
 * our goal is to have the "technology itself become transparent", leaving users free to pursue their goals (Vicente, p. 90)
 * options on each page are limited to promote ease of use (Vicente, p. 91)
 * OTHER??

//I had some thoughts around:// .................................................................................................................................................................................. For Paper- vg
 * //do we need some indication of where, how, and choice for importing video clips?//
 * //have we addressed the issue of local storage for personal collections of video clips, sound recordings, and images for later use? Storage capacity and data management? I'm thinking there would have to be some limit on the number of items on hold for each media...lot of memory used here. Do we need to develop an attachable storage component to our device too? Hmmm...does this also mean we need to provide format optins for the staorage of each media...or are we going to define that E.g. jpeg, png, flv, Quicktime etc. **Oh my goodness!**//
 * //Does this mean we would need some element of a search engine designed into our product?//
 * //We still ned to discuss the issue around "Cloud Architecture" and the tag system. Would our own devised, and pre-set-up searchable data base be the way to go?//
 * //Also, we need (unless I missed it!) some capacity/feature/navigation tool that allows to import directly to this application...rather than multiple steps first.//
 * //Where will text and sound clips be stored for retrieval once inserted on the device. We need to have a text, video, sound, action buttons for each clip...I was thinking...rather like iMovie...you always have the possibility of adding each type of media for each section, or over several sections, or clips> Is this too complex for our users and for our app? Especially given the size of the physical device.//
 * //What types of guidance will be needed? Do we need to include this now as part of the navigation features...If the process is too hard to explain that may help US make decisions too!//
 * //How do we add clips to the storyboard...I think we need an "add clip" plus a scroll bar for areas where learners can collect different media?//

**Purpose and Objectives ** Our Interaction Design objective is to create an immersive, intuitive and interactive multimedia application designed to meet the sensory needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome to learn and recognize important social cues in human interactions. To that end, users can create personalized social stories, which allow them to capture authentic social situations that can then be used to rehearse and prepare for enactment in day to day situations. Our application ‘Virti-cue’ incorporates video, images, voice and text. It also provides the users an online  community infrastructure for posting and sharing of social stories and scripts, along with a blog to facilitate an exchange of resources. Further, a Cloud architecture which will enable the user to upload video content and free up precious hard-drive space on their personal devices We identify our users as Elementary-aged children with Asperger’s, parents, teachers, caregivers. Possible users for this application may also include ELL educators, children with learning disabilities and/or behavioural issues, and community rehab practitioners. For the purposes of the Interaction design, we are demonstrating through storyboard the navigation process the user will encounter upon using this application. **Orientation ** As Norman says, ‘But user-centred design emphasizes that the purpose of the system is to serve the user, not to use a specific technology, not to be an elegant piece of programming. The needs of the users should dominate the design of the interface, and the needs of the interface should dominate the design of the rest of the system.’(Norman 1986) Keeping these criteria in mind as a vital factor for the success for our product, we will cater to the needs of the users and capture a commitment for effective usability. Hence our visuals will be made interesting yet not distracting to accommodate the unique attention and learning issues of our target audience. “Optimizing the interaction between users and interactive products requires taking into account a number of interdependent factors, including context of use, type of task, and kind of user. ( Preece, Rogers & Sharp, 2002, p. 30). The visuals will also reflect the function of choice. “Giving students’ choice of content and tools can increase their enthusiasm of learning particular processes. (Rose & Meyer, 2002, p. 126). Further, the text guidance system will be succinct and clear, providing just enough information to make the navigation simple. **Navigation ** RBWB&UG provides some important guidelines to navigation with the most important idea being to enable users to find what they are looking for with ease. Allow users to perform tasks in the same sequence and manner across similar conditions.(p. 11). In accordance with this principle of ‘consistency’ we have placed buttons such as ‘Back’, ‘Help’ and ‘Home’ consistent in our application. “Options on each page are limited to promote ease of use”.( Vicente, p. 91). The ‘Back’ button will allow users to move back or reach the Home Page from each of the pages. The ‘Help’ button on each of the pages will assist the users with difficulties and provide guidance. . Our goal is to have the “technology itself become transparent”, leaving users free to pursue their goals. (Vicente, p. 90).Descriptive text and images will give users choices as to which areas they wish to explore, edit and save. According to RBWD &UG‘s concept of reducing user’s workload, and the feedback we received from our professor and colleagues in our previous presentation, we have improved our ‘tagging’ in the Cloud Arhitecture. The Cloud Button will allow the users to search for a story, or share their own story by saving it under a given tag or requesting a new tag. Consistent with the website design guidelines, our product will provide users “information in a directly usable format” (p.15) whether uploading images, videos or stories. Assistance will also be provided through a page on ‘Frequently Asked Questions’. As the product is essentially for children with Asperger’s Syndrome, the navigation elements are labelled clearly and graphics are kept very simple. As Norman says, “Good behavioural design should be human-centered, focussing upon understanding the needs of the people who actually use the product. (p. 81).

**……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ** **QCC ** **1. ****Cloud Saving Button – how do you think should we ‘request a tag ??? ** **Do we want online chat/ help feature or just ‘frequently asked questions’ **  -vg