Screen Design Question
June 23, 2009 12:00 AM
I think it's important NOT to think of a self-directed learning experience just like any Web page (typically unnecessary header branding, loads of navigation controls / sub controls, eye catching navigation). In my experience this comparison tends to enourage cookie cutter compilations that don't serve the learner's experience well (and battle with what's important for attention). That said, I think it depends on your strategy. If long form resource navigation with common scrolling elements are going to fit the bill, I'd agree that standard header navigation is probably appropriate, along with footer navigation that is also common in most Web experiences. I'd also caution against focusing on the screen as the main element of construction. Think activity, not screen or page. Task, not information.
If this lots of scrolling content (resource based) isn't the strategy, recommend fixing your main controls to the bottom. Our user tests have shown that navigation in the upper portion of the screen is less comfortable than the bottom (and the right is more comfortable than the left). We've moved all of our navigation to the lower portion of the screen. Normally the lower right. We've also moved to a minimal approach (if the interface contains more color and detail than the content then we've got a problem) and have removed as much of the navigation decoration as we can.
While I agree that when navigation elements are used they should appear in common spots, I am vehemently opposed to everpresent next / back buttons. It's my opinion that those two boogers are the infection of the industry (along with the screen focus). Without the prescription of which we wouldn't have quite the proliferation of conveyer belt poo we've seen in the past decade.
I do agree with Ben's comment about having the descriptions / callouts near the controls on the screen if you have a screen for it. But I'd still contend that you don't necessarily need a screen for this. A peripheral / linked document will give you more flexibility -- not to mention the less 'screens' you have, the better off your student will be (it's a media platform, leverage it for what it's good for). A document will actually give you more usable real estate and can be better for a read. PDF has the added benefit of enabling the learner to add their own comments to their copy of the saved document (not applicable to a screen description or instructions, but still a benefit).
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