Mobile Computing Usability Study

1
Mobile Computing Usability Study

• Department of Industrial and Manufacturing
  Engineering
• Kenneth H. Funk II, PhD
• Thanit Puthpongsiriporn, PhD

2
Objectives

• Study usability of mobile devices laptop,
  tablet PC, PDA in Engineering Orientation
  course (ENGR 111)
• learnability
• efficiency
• memorability
• errors/accuracy
• user satisfaction
• Also compare
• effectiveness for learning
• effect on student retention
• suitability for engineering tasks

3
Methodology

• Participants
• 161 ENGR 111 students
• Pre-test survey, including
• computing experience
• opinions about devices
• Practice lab
• familiarization with each device
• 4 lab exercises and device surveys
• Post-test survey, including
• opinions about devices

4
Lab Exercise Experimental Procedure

• Hand out devices (2 types per lab)
• Randomly distribute devices
• Pencil, paper, and calculator
• Laptop computer
• Tablet PC computer
• PDA
• Participants complete assignment
• Participants fill out device survey
• Time and accuracy data collected

5
Exercise 1Significant Digits Rounding
6
Exercise 2Work Breakdown Structure
7
Exercise 3Decision Matrix
8
Exercise 4Gantt Charts
9
Preliminary Partial Results Percentage of Lab
Exercise Tasks Completed
10
Preliminary Partial Results Percentage of Lab
Exercise Tasks Correct
11
Preliminary Partial ResultsPost-Test Ease of Use
12
Preliminary Partial ResultsPost-Test
Satisfaction
13
Preliminary Partial Results Post-Test Perceived
Effectiveness