Collaborative Learning of Usability Experiences

在典型的HCI活动中，可用性和可用性测试的重点是确定人们可以如何使用系统的功能。一个熟练的可用性专业人员采用基于研究的方法和原则来理解用户对任务的概念模型，然后设计一个与此思维过程相结合的界面。在可用性和可用性测试技能的需求越来越大，但我们发现在加拿大目前的研究生课程中缺乏这方面的培训。我们认为，在所有情况下，HCI课程的毕业生都存在可用性知识缺口，这是由于课堂上理论上教授的可用性，课堂上的例子通常来自缺乏统计有效性的非常小的人群。我们将通过为学生提供体验可用性评估的机会来缓解差距 在真实的项目中进行。我们将培养出一批新的学员，他们可以更有效地应用可用性技能，并通过真实的世界经验来研究当前的系统。 卡尔顿大学的可用性经验协作学习（CLUE）CREATE项目将培训加拿大的HCI领导者。我们的长期目标是通过协作式专业技能发展（PSD），体验式学习和技术技能，提高学员的跨学科能力（心理学，计算机科学，IT和设计）。将通过一些短期目标促进这一改进的培训方案，这些目标将在他们目前接受的培训之外提供更多的培训，包括讲习班和小型课程。CLUE计划将以基于可用性经验的实习达到高潮。在接触到理论之后，有一个实际的，现实生活中的例子来应用理论将从根本上为学生提供更好的学习体验。我们相信，通过我们的政府和行业合作伙伴提供行业实习将加强学生的培训。这种应用学习将提高就业前景，因为实践经验是获得工作的宝贵资产。

Within typical HCI activities, usability and usability testing focuses on determining how well people can use a system's functionality. A skilled usability professional employs research-based methods and principles to understand users' conceptual model of a task and then design an interface that integrates with this thought process accordingly. There is an increased demand for skills in usability and usability testing, yet we identify a lack of training in this part of the field in current graduate programs across Canada. We believe that in all cases, graduates of an HCI program present a usability knowledge gap, as a result of usability being taught in theory in the classroom where examples in class are typically from very small populations that lack statistical validity. We will alleviate the gap by providing opportunities for students to experience the usability evaluation process on real projects. We will produce a new hybrid of trainees who can more effectively apply usability skills and research current systems as a result of real world experience. The Carleton University Collaborative Learning of Usability Experiences (CLUE) CREATE project will train Canada's leaders in HCI. Our long term goal is to improve our trainees' capabilities across the disciplinary boundaries (Psychology, Computer Science, IT and Design), through collaborative professional skills development (PSD), experiential learning and technical skills. This improved training regimen will be facilitated via a number of short term objectives that will provide additional training with workshops and mini-courses above and beyond the training they currently receive. The CLUE program will culminate with an internship based in usability experiences. After being exposed to the theory, having a practical, real-life example to apply the theory will fundamentally provide a greater learning experience for the students. We believe that providing an industry internship through our government and industry collaborators will enhance the students training. This applied learning will enhance job prospects, as practical experience is a valuable asset in securing a job.