Dan
Interesting, it would seem that both Nasa and the Russians used pencils
at first, and that neither in fact considered it worth spending millions
(that might be an indexed figure) on a 'space-pen' - but when it
eventually became available they both decided to use it.
Steve
Stephen Clarke
Head of eLearning
Information Services
University of Birmingham
Birmingham
B15 2TT
+44 (0)121 414 4736
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-----Original Message-----
From: Virtual Learning Environments [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Dan Stowell
Sent: 24 May 2006 14:57
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VLES] Web Application Task Orientated Design Approach
Stephen -
The example is an urban legend I'm afraid:
http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp
Best,
Dan
Stephen Clarke wrote:
> Sander
>
> My first question would be to ask why you want to do it. In other
> words "What is the problem to which a redesign of the user interface
> for the VLE is a solution?"
>
> The other thing to be wary of is that this is not a "Russian Pencil"
> problem. Someone recently mentioned this at a meeting or conference
> (sorry I can' remember who and give you credit).
>
> During the space race the Americans spent millions to design a pen
> that could work in zero gravity. The Russians bought each of their
> astronauts a pencil. Undoubtedly the Papermate pen (a spin-off from
> the above mentioned) offers a superior writing experience to a pencil,
> but was it worth all those millions?
>
> Steve
>
> Stephen Clarke
> Head of eLearning
> Information Services
> University of Birmingham
> Birmingham
> B15 2TT
>
> +44 (0)121 414 4736
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Virtual Learning Environments [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Web Master
> Sent: 24 May 2006 14:20
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [VLES] Web Application Task Orientated Design Approach
>
>
> Hello there,
> I've got a question regarding task orientated web application design
> (I'm responsible for redesigning the interface of a VLE).
>
> There are two ways to step through a task:
> choose what you want to do
> do the task (get rewarded)
> then place it where it you want
> (do something, then think about where it ends up)
>
> or
> choose where you want to do something
> then what you want to do
> then do the task (get rewarded)
> (database approach)
>
> The current VLE favours the second method, which I find
> counter-intuitive. When I ask to myself: what do I want to do - I
> answer for example add a news article. I don't answer add something to
> a course.
>
> That's why in the new VLE I thought it was logical and most intuitive
> to use the first method. Add a news article, then select course. This
> means you start out from a selection of tasks. I think this follows
> the thought process best (non disruptive) and therefore would be
> easier to use.
>
> However the current VLE starts out from a selection of courses
> /modules, then present the relevant tasks. I think this can simplify
> the interface (as irrelevant options won't be shown), but then might
> be harder to use.
>
> With the first option you get rewarded earlier in the process (as your
> task is completed quickly), motivating the user.
>
> These are the reasons the decision was made to go for this route.
> However this means the user isn't bothered about where it ends up and
> the course /module is chosen afterwards, this effects the interface.
>
> Is there any literature that can deny or verify my view?
>
> Best Regards,
> Sander van Dragt
> Web Designer
> Angus College
> ###########################################
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--
Dan Stowell
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/is/fiso/lifesciences/
Room 139, Medical School, 74 Huntley Street
University College London, London, WC1E 6BT
Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 0888 (within UCL: 40888)
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