Collaborative Usability Testing with IDEA Online

Abstract

Although many university campuses have small departments that create websites and multimedia tools for faculty and student use, these departments often lack the resources to employ best practices in the fields of software development and usability engineering. Collectively, these departments are a rich resource of expertise; but collaboration between departments is rare, especially across campuses. A web-based tool, Interface Design Evaluation & Assessment Online (IDEA Online), has been created to allow such developers to take advantage of the expertise that can be found in departments like these. The tool allows designers to request usability inspections and to get reports generated by their peers to inform the development of their projects. Response to the tool has been so positive that the basic framework is being considered for other types of evaluations.