Netbook - A Toolset in Support of a Collaborative Learning

摘要

As part of its collaborative efforts on the project Netbook - A Toolset inSupport of a Collaborative and Cooperative Learning Environment, the Interactive Multimedia Group (IMG) at Cornell University conducted a usability test of the latest version of Netbook, developed by Odyssey Research Associates (ORA) in Ithaca, New York. Cornell's goal was to test the concepts and current functionality of the Netbook software, which is designed to help users take greater advantage of the Internet by allowing them to retrieve and organize visual and textual information from web sites. The purpose of the testing and evaluation was to examine current progress, content, and functionality of Netbook. During early November, 1996, a team of IMG researchers reviewed Netbook after an introductory demonstration by an ORA programmer. Once trained, the leaders then demonstrated the site and software to the test-users in a group session. They first summarized the features and use of the material, then repeated the demonstration in a more detailed presentation. Users were encouraged to comment and discuss reactions during this stage. The reviewers considered the overall presentation and design, as well as the individual features paying specific attention to the following attributes: (1) Appeal, (2) Navigation and operation, (3) Comprehensibility, (4) Responsiveness, (5) Features, (6) Application, and (7) Contents. Each test-user was given a survey designed to gather their reactions to the software. Specific recommendations are described in this document. In general test-users are encouraged by the goal of the tool to organize and make sense out of the wealth of information on the World Wide Web. They are especially supportive of the annotations feature.