Artefact 2 - Evaluation

This artefact was very helpful in getting much ground covered when it came to answering the question at hand. The practical element of the artefact allowed me to use different mediums to complete the same task.

I asked 12 people to aid me in this experiment. I wanted each of them to complete a task taught via different mediums, each resulting in the same finished product.

The task was to take 4 video clips and edit them together with transitions and titles concluding with the export of the finished film.

The different methods of instruction were as follows:

• Verbal Instruction – I instructed the test subjects verbally how to complete the task. I was also there to aid them in the completion of the task if at any point they required my help.
• Written Instruction – I gave the test subjects a step by step written document outlining everything that the test subject needed to do. I also included some screen shots.
• Video Tutorial – I produced a video tutorial with no audio instruction. This visually showed the test subject how to complete the task. They had the option of replaying the video clips if at any point they were moving to fast.
• Audio Instruction – I produced a series of audio clips, which allowed the user to have similar instruction as the verbal instruction but this time with no visual aid or help.

I asked 4 people each individually to pick an envelope each containing a different medium. I asked them to take the form of instruction away with them and come back 2 days later to complete the task where I would be able to monitor their progress and ask them questions afterwards.

I asked a further 4 people to do the same except this time I asked them to do the task there and then.

The remaining 4 people were asked to complete the task twice but using 2 different mediums to aid them in the completion of the task.

After my test subjects had completed the task the results I gathered were concerning the time taken to complete the task at hand and also the users comments which were concerning the difficulty levels, their interaction with each other such as discussions had outlining what they believed to be the better medium, any problems that occurred and the individuals preferred method.

The results were very wide spread as some of the test subjects believed that it all depended on how you best learn and take in information. Which was great as this a big part of my question. All the participants agreed that the written document had it’s uses but the other mediums were preferred as that was what they were now used to.