To make sure that we get to practice most of the methods, we decided to use three methods instead of just one. Given that the scope of the topic is very broad, our aim of the user study methods is to get a broad perspective on the general problems or barriers to great lecture learning experience. Hence we did not restrict on particular lecture group, lecture module, etc.
User Study Methods Employed:
The three methods are 1.) Cultural Probe, 2.) Laddering, and 3.) Ethnography.
Having identified many problems using the three methods, we then attempt to sieve out the common problems in all three of them.
Common Problems Identified:
The first common problem is that of the lecture theatre’s design.
The lecture theatres are generally too big for most classes, resulting in empty/ half-filled lectures. This emptiness may lead to a drop in temperature without the human warmth.
Students also like to sit at the last few rows of the lecture theatres, talking among themselves, distracting other students.
Some lecturers cannot be heard especially by students sitting at the back rows.
The space between the rows are also too narrow and restrictive for comfortable seating.
The second common problem is the lecturer factor.
The lecturing style, speech/language, nuances, and accents of the lecturer may affect the UX of learning in lecture theatres.
The lack of “Crowd control” by the lecturers may also reduce the UX of students who genuinely want to attend the lectures.
Appropriate pauses for questions/taking down notes were not given and this may reduce the UX of learning as well.
Lastly, the lack of personal grooming by the lecturers may also affect the UX of learning in lecture theatres.
The third common problem is the student factor.
Generally, students lack proper time management to maintain sufficient time for sleeping and eating (especially breakfast).
Many students are also affected by their fellow students’ improper behaviors and attitudes during/ towards lectures.
Proposed Solutions:
We propose that lecture timing should not coincide with peak hours (office hours) as this may indirectly affect the travelling to/ fro campus for lectures. Back-to-back lecture timing should also be avoided.
On the students part, we propose that they need to manage their time better to have enough rest. A positive attitude towards learning is also required.
Most importantly, students need to be sensitive and considerate to other students who are attending the lectures by not talking, eating, or doing anything disruptive to the lecture.
Changes to the design of the lecture theatres will also improve the UX of learning in them.
We propose seminar style teaching with maximum capacity of 30 students per class. This will essentially eliminates the problem of empty lecture theatres, cold temperatures, and the lecturer not being heard.
The smaller class will also allow the lecturer to perform better crowd control.
Regular maintenance of the projectors and sound systems is also required.
Lastly, we also propose some solutions for the lecturers.
Lecturers should improve their lecturing style by being less monotonous and not read from the slides. Accented English is acceptable as long as it is comprehensible.
Proper crowd control should be carried out by lecturers to maintain the level of UX in learning for most students.
The lecturers should also give the students sufficient time to take down notes and/ or process the information delivered.
Good personal grooming by the lecturers will also aid in improving the overall UX of learning in lecture theatres.
My Reflection
User experience varies greatly between individuals. Even with extensive studies on users, it will be difficult to identify what creates positive experience.
I guess one good way to start is by observing the daily happenings, the social norms and cultural practices. Once we've identified these events, we can go on to interview the people to probe deeper into why these events create positive experience for them.
After doing this assignment, I suggest that perhaps researchers can start with cultural probe and/or ethnography. With a better understanding of the situations, then we may move on to laddering to probe deeper. This will kind of answer my previous question on how to ask the 'correct' questions for laddering to work too. The basic understanding of the users will allow the researcher to formulate appropriate questions to ask in laddering.
And here's our Presentation Slide
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