Prerequisite: ENGL 2311 or 3365. Principles and techniques of testing online and print documents, using video and digital equipment, with emphasis on rhetorical effectiveness and usability of graphics, text, and format.

Course Goals

The goal of this course is to enable students to understand the underlying theories and concepts of usability, to learn the process of usability testing in technical communication, and to understand the documents (testing materials and reports) and technologies (the English Department Usability Lab) used to do productive usability tests.

Outcomes and Assessments

1. Understand the concepts of usability testing

Assessment:  Students will read the textbook and other resource materials and take a series of quizzes and exams

2. Learn the process of usability testing

Assessment:  Students will work as a team to produce a professional-level usability test for a real-world client. 

3. Learn the documents and technologies

Assessment:  Students will use the Usability Lab equipment successfully and create a class portfolio of documents and reflective analyses.

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