Today in class we viewed a very in-depth student example for our next project, interrogate the interface. Overall my group thought that the student work was a great example for us as we embark on our own projects, and gave us a few ideas to take our projects to the next level. Two things that I plan on using in my own project, inspired by “The Video Star Verdict” is to take a lot of screen shots of my tool, and to test out the tool with my own project.

My tool, Timeglider, is an interface that helps its users to compile data in an easy to use and easy to read timeline. First, I think it is important that when reviewing this interface, my audience can see exactly what I am talking about and where, and this is where screen shots can be used most effectively. In the Video Star Verdict, when the reviewer was describing a challenge in identifying menu items and their icons, she took a screen shot that highlighted exactly which icons were ambiguous. This helped me, someone who is unfamiliar with her interface, understand what exactly her thoughts were on the tool.

Second, you could tell that the Video Star Verdict was very familiar with her interface because she attempted her own project with the tool, to maximize her understanding of the tool’s usability. This is a great idea, and is something that I intend to do on my own project. The Video Star Verdict has inspired me to take a series of information from a past class, and put it into a timeline that I would have used as a study guide for an exam. This will help me fully understand Timeglider’s affordances and constraints, and see how effective this product of my project will be. Who knows, if it turns out well I might send it to my old teacher in case she wants to use it as a resource for future classes.