Research Log of Web Science Students

Test Plan Review

Test Objectives: Usability and Likeability of an Educational Mobile Game in Music

Usability Test Criteria:
Appropriateness – the design is fit to the target user’s needs
Feedback – the user receives adequate information to know if he/she is correct/wrong
Motivation – setting of game scenario, goals, challenges, awards

Likeability Test Criteria:
Relevance – how meaningful and applicable the content is to the user
Engagement – enjoyability of the game so they would want to play it again
Educational Value – did the student learn from it

Usability Heuristics:

• Audio-visual representation supports the game
• Screen layout is efficient and visually pleasing
• Indicators are visible
• The player understands the terminology
• Game controls are convenient and flexible
• The game gives feedback on the player’s actions
• The game contains help
• The game and play sessions can be started quickly
• Interruptions are handled reasonably

Likeability Heuristics:

• The game provides clear goals or supports player-created goals
• The player sees the progress in the game and can compare the results
• The players are rewarded and rewards are meaningful
• Challenge, strategy, and pace are in balance
• The first-time experience is encouraging
• The game story supports the gameplay and is meaningful
• The game supports different playing styles
• The game does not stagnate
• The game is consistent

Test Methodology: 30 students composed of a control group which would take the pre-test and post-test, and an experimental group, which would take the exams and the treatment.

Sadly, we could not find a publicly-available paper which provides a clear and explicit definition of Likeability. We are thinking of just focusing on Usability or following the model used here which measures Playability: Game Usability, Mobility, and Gameplay.

Last Tuesday, we had our last consultation with Maam Joy for the year. While the College of Music was busy with several stores and stalls, we met Maam Joy at around 6pm at the Ethnomusicology department. Read the rest of this entry »

We had our last presentation for the year 2009 last Monday. What we showed were a few updates for our first two mini-games (rhythm and pitch) plus a prototype of our melody game. We also discussed our plans for the short break and the start of classes come January. It’s crunch time this holiday season for us, but I’m confident that we’d be able to deliver. Happy Holidays WSG!

Yay! Sounds are now a lot more audible than the last time. Read the rest of this entry »