4.3.1 USER INTERFACE PRINCIPLES

Learning outcomes :

State user interface principles.

Apply suitable user interface principles in a project.

USER INTERFACE PRINCIPLESUSER INTERFACE IS A WAY A COMPUTER PROGRAM COMMUNICATES WITH THE PERSON WHO IS USING IT.

EIGHT MAIN PRINCIPLES OF THE USER INTERFACE CONSISTENCY CLARITY CONTEXT NAVIGATION SEARCH PERSONALISATION LEARNABILITY FLEXIBILTY

CONSISTENCY

THE INTERFACE DESIGN IS IN HARMONY AND THE SAME APPLIES TO ALL SCREEN IN A SOFTWARE.

Every user interface uses the same words or commands perform the same functions.

CLARITY

CLEARNESS OF LABELS ON ALL ICONS TO MAKE THE SYSTEM EASY TO UNDERSTAND

Developer should use relevant icons or graphics to indicate the information.

Icons, word or commands should be clearly labeled so that users can understand them easily.

CONTEXT

EVERY PART OF A LESSON SHOULD BE RELEVANT TO A PARTICULAR TITLE.

Ideas presented need to relate to the title.

NAVIGATION

USERS CAN MOVE AROUND THE MENUS, HELP FILES OR OTHER SCREENS IN A SYSTEM.

It should be clear on how to exit or proceed from screen to screen in a program

SEARCH THE SYSTEM ENABLES USERS

TO SEARCH KEYWORDS OR GLOSSARY. IT SHOULD PROVIDE MULTIPLE WAYS FOR USERS TO MAKE QUERIES BY GROUPING OR SORTING.

The system should provide users a preview in order to get a word in the correct page.

PERSONALISATION

THE USERS CAN MAKE THEIR OWN PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL LEARNING

Users can choose their display options.

LEARNABILITY THE SYSTEM PROVIDES

SUPPORT INFORMATION AND HELP FILES TO MAKE THE SYSTEM EASY TO UNDERSTAND.

Support information is important, especially in helping the user to use the system.

FLEXIBILITY

A USER HAS THE AUTHORITY TO NAVIGATE THROUGH ALL THE SECTIONS WITHOUT ANY LIMITATIONS

For example, the user is allowed to access any of the lessons, sections and pages of the program.

EXERCISES

1. Which criteria of user interface is fulfilled by the following statement?•“Every user interface uses the same words or commands to perform the same functions.” A . Search B. Context

C. Consistency D. Personalisation

2. Which criteria of user interface is fulfilled by the following statement?•“It should be clear on how to exit or proceed from screen to screen in a program.”•Clarity•Search•Navigation•Personalisation

3. Which criteria of user interface is fulfilled by the following statement? “It should provide multiple ways for users to make queries by grouping or sorting.” A. Search

B. Navigation C. Consistency D. Personalisation

4. Which criteria of user interface is fulfilled by the following statement? “Users can define their display options.”

A. Clarity B. Search C. Context D. Personalisation

5. Which criteria of user interface is fulfilled by the following statement? “Icons, words or commands should be clearly labelled so that the

users can understand them easily.” A. ClarityB. Search C. Context D. Personalisation

6. Which criteria of user interface is fulfilled by the following statement? "A user has the authority to navigate through the program without

any limitation.“A. SearchB. ContextC. FlexibilityD. Personalisation

7. Which criteria of user interface is fulfilled by the following statement?

“Support information is important, especially in training and educational applications.”

A. SearchB. ContextC. LearnabilityD. Personalisation

8. Which criteria of user interface is fulfilled by the following statement?

“Every part of a lesson should be relevant to a particular title and ideas presented need to be related.”

A. SearchB. ContextC. ConsistencyD. Personalisation

9. Which criteria of user interface is fulfilled by the following statement? “The system enables users to find keywords or glossary.”

A. SearchB. ContextC. LearnabilityD. Personalisation

10. Which criteria of user interface is fulfilled by the following statement? “Links should be clearly indicated to users.”

A. SearchB. NavigationC. LearnabilityD. Personalisation

ANSWERS1. C2. C3. A4. D5. A6. C7. C8. B9. A10.B