Pick two different technologies or information systems: a web site, an ATM, a car, a bicycle… the possibilities are many. Select based on these criteria:

• one that you have used many times in the past
• one that you are using for the first time

For the length of a transaction, or about 15 minutes of use, whichever is less, notice and record your experience. Pay attention to the following:

• instances in which you had to modify your own activity to suit the needs of the system or technology;
• moments of confusion or uncertainty, such as questions about what actions you should take or what a display or system response means;
• inconveniences, instances requiring added effort or attention from you — physical (e.g., doing something you feel is unnecessary, awkward, or effortful) or mental (e.g., having to remember something that takes some effort);
• emotional reactions, such as annoyance (“why do I have to do this? why can’t I do that?”), anger (“this is maddening!”), fear (“will it eat my ATM card?”); delight, happiness (“that was easy and actually pretty fun!”); whatever;
• times when everything went smoothly, without problems (even harder to notice).

It may be tricky to be aware of these while using the one with which you have prior experience. Pay attention to the ways in which you’ve been trained to do things its way, the accommodations that you are now used to making.

Simply notice and describe your experience. Do not leap into redesigning it to work better.

Summarize your observations in about 2 pages for each experience (the familiar and unfamiliar), then write an additional 1-2 pages reflecting on both what you learned about usability from this exercise, and what it was like to have these experiences while consciously focused on assessing usability. (Total: 5-6 double-spaced pages.) Photos, screenshots, or other visual aids are optional, but might be helpful; you’re welcome to include them in an appendix at the end, after your write-up. The point is not to apply any of the readings, but to notice your own experience as a user.

This assignment will not be graded, but recorded as done.

Due: Feb. 6

How to submit: Email your write-up in PDF format to the instructor and TA before 4pm on the due date. (For instructions regarding file naming conventions, etc., see the course Assignments page.)