Module 2 – Modeling Human Behavior

When developing any type of system it is important to understand the human behavior associated with the interaction with the system. There are multiple models that have been developed to help achieve this task – however in this class we are going to use the GOMS model. The GOMS Model is covered inTopic -Elements of Computer Interfaces

Information

Humans love to take selfie pictures and also like to shoot video with their camera/phone. In fact phone video has changed the world – all because someone thought quickly and was able to get the video going quickly to capture some event. The ability to quickly get to video mode on a phone is important. So we are going to explore that.

For this assignment – I highly recommend using Cogulator (available at http://cogulator.io/) – it is possible to write a GOMS model using notepad – but Cogulator is a specialized GOMS editor that recognizes all the models and operators that you will use. (You can watch a quick introduction to Cogulator at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAKjxUEt67I ).

Assignment

First – take out your phone and shoot a video. Think about the steps necessary to perform this task. Now borrow a different type of phone from a friend and do the same task. This will prepare you for the assignment.

Using the operators associated with GOMS-TLM you will write a model for taking a video using a cell phone where the user must zoom into the subject. You will start the model with the phone in a state where the camera is not activated. The camera app will also possibly be on a screen that is not the default screen. The video must be taken in a horizontal mode ( see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt9zSfinwFA). Use the correct operators associated with Touch Level Model (TLM). You will use the notation associated with CPM-GOMS. You must cover all steps involved in going from taking the phone out of your pocket or purse to having a video file saved on the phone.

You WILL need to discuss this on the bulletin board to successfully complete this assignment. Selection of the level of detail here is important – and warrants discussion. This is a hint – I expect to see everyone to be involved in the discussions on the discussion board on this assignment if they want full credit.

Be sure to include time estimates associated with each step and overall time in your analysis.

You will also measure the actual time for you to perform the task on an unfamiliar phone or have someone that is unfamiliar with your phone to perform the task. Make sure you put the actual time in your document with the estimated time.

This is important when you design interfaces, obviously if using an interface takes too long for tasks this can lead to some bad results. (for example if answering a phone takes longer than it rings you will miss every call!)

You will turn in the text of your final model as a word file or a pdf.

Assistance

Student Erin Riva found this excellent article on estimating time on mobile devices – https://pure.strath.ac.uk/portal/files/38570231/Karim_MHCI_Final_Camera_Ready.pdf