Exam 1 Question Pool

Questions on the exam may differ in wording, format, etc. but core concepts exercised with remain the same.

DOET Ch 1

• Define and provide an example (do not repeat examples) for each of the following design concepts:

  • Affordance
  • Signifier
  • Constraint
  • Mapping
  • Feedback

• According to the Design of Everyday Things, what is the difference between the System Image and the Conceptual Model? How are they related?

• Explain the relationship between the concepts of affordances, perceived affordances, and signifiers.

• T/F: A conceptual model is often a complete and detailed understanding of how something works.

• T/F: From a design perspective, signifiers are less important than affordances.

DOET Ch 2

• Label the diagram of the action cycle

• [BLANK] attempts to make sense of the world: [BLANK] assigns it value

• Describe at least three differences between subconcious and conscious systems of cognition.

• Define the three levels of processing and associate them with the proper stages of the action cycle.

• [BLANK] can result from repeated failure at a task leading a person to assume that they cannot accomplish the task.

• What is the difference between information from feedback and feedfoward?

• Don Norman’s self-imposed rule for dealing with faulty design is “Don’t [BLANK] unless you can do better.”

GUIB Ch 1

• According to the GUIB book, usability refers to what three components of the product?

• T/F According to the GUIB book, considering function first and presentation later means that you should focus on developing the core functionality and create the UI later.

• T/F Each new concept that is added to the software increases the complexity linearly.

• It is important that your software have a well defined and consistent set of terminology referred to as the [BLANK].

• T/F Software with low performance cannot also have high responsiveness.

• T/F It is only necessary to consider how frequently a feature will be used to determine how visible it should be.

GUIB Ch 2

• Observe a UI image and identify the “blooper(s)” present.

DOET Ch 3

• What are the four reasons that precise behavior can emerge from imprecise knowledge?

• Explain declarative and procedural knowledge. Give an examples of each type of knowledge.

• Knowledge of is called [BLANK] knowledge by psychologists.

• Knowledge how is called [BLANK] knowledge by psychologists.

• T/F Constraints simplify memory

• Retention in short term memory is affected by both [BLANK] and [BLANK].

• From a PRACTICAL perspective, it is best to assume people can remember [BLANK] to [BLANK] things.

• T/F Natural mappings are so effective because they are unaffected by culture.

DOET Ch 4

• List and define the four types of constraints

• Ineligant design that persists due to reliance on existing standards is called the [BLANK] problem.

• Define a forcing function.

• List and define the three types of methods for forcing functions.

• Conventions are a special kind of [BLANK] constraint.

• A young child has just begun walking. Her parents buy a gate for the doorway to the basement stairs and a play pen for the living room. Describe what type(s) of forcing functions are represented by each item.

• If all else fails [BLANK].

• What is an inherent risk of using sound as a signifier?

DOET Ch 5

• Explain root cause analysis in the context of accidents. What is a limitation of root cause analysis?

• Explain the “Five Whys” and its purpose. What is a limitation of this approach?

• Errors from design occur when there is a focus on the [BLANK] requirements instead of the [BLANK] requirements.

• What are the two categories of errors? How are they different? Where can each of the categories occur in the action cycle diagram?

• Novice users tend to make errors in the [BLANK] category while more skilled users tend to make errors in the [BLANK] category.

• Define and give an example of the following terms:

  • Capture Slip
  • Description-Similiarity Slip
  • Memory-lapse Slip
  • Mode-error Slip
  • Rule-based Mistakes
  • Knowledge-based Mistakes
  • Memory-lapse Mistakes

• T/F It is good design to form a sequentially structured list of task for any goal to ensure that all taks are accomplished.

• T/F Mistakes are relatively easy to detect due to the descrepancy between the intended act and the one that was performed.

• According to DOET, what are the five ways to design for error?

• What design concept can help with error prevention?

• Why are the advantages and disadvantages of error/conformation message boxes?

• What is the Swiss Cheese Model of Accidents? Using this model, how can we reduced the likely hood that errors lead to accidents?

• The goal of [BLANK] engineering is to design systems, procedures, management, and the training of people so they are able to respond to problems as they arise.

DOET Ch 6

• When discussing design and trying to solve the “correct problem”, what is intended by this statement? What are some techniques that are used to help solve the correct problem (be specific)?

• List and explain each of the four phases of the Human-Centered Design Process using no more than two sentences for each phase.

• Explain the difference between tasks and activities

• It is important to avoid singling out users that may have a disability in our designs. In these circumstances we attempt to practice [BLANK] design.

Applied

• Observe the images of two different TV remotes (labeled A and B). Describe at least two advantages and two disadvantages of each design with respect to design principles in Design of Everyday Things or GUI Bloopers (Ch 1)? Additionally discuss two ways to make each design better (a total of four ideas) and cite the design principles used to motivate your changes.

• Indentify the afforances and signifiers (if any) present in this product. Consider the afforances and signifiers again for a preschooler (roughly 3 years old). Have the affordances or signifiers changed? Explain your reasoning and if you believe there is a change, discuss two design changes to provide a similar experience for the aforementioned individual.

• Observe the image of a touch screen light control system. Indentify examples of affordances, signifiers, and mappings if any are present in the software. Clearly indicate the design concept you assiciate with each interface element/feature. Additionally, describe how you might improve this interface and cite the design concepts your changes support/improve.