This afternoon, we went into School to test our prototype with some of the children in the reception class. Mrs Cload gave us four children, who she thought encompassed the range of computer abilities in the class to help us see how they reacted to the game.
We had one child deemed less able, one more able and two average children. Also to make sure we had a fair view of abilities Vanessa made sure we had two girls and two boys.
We had the children come out individually, Simon explained how to play the game, Suzanne made notes on how the children reacted
to the game and used it. As well as how they got on with the laptop touch pad or the graphics tablet.
To keep the children’s identity’s safe (it’s not really important who they are) we’ll refer to them by letters.
A
 |
|
Wasn’t keen on using the pen to begin with.
Read the instructions relatively easily.
Got on better with the touch pad, but ultimately when given the choice A seemed to prefer using the pen once they’d had chance to practice a bit. |
G
|
|
|
Instructions were beyond reading ability; they instead had to be verbally explained to G.
Blue arrow on the intro screen made no sense to G, could grasp the idea.
Not confident in using the mouse at all, G found it very difficult to coordinate his movement and the mouse’s.
Not keen on using the pen either.
Struggled almost the whole way through the game.At the end of playing he game we asked; how do you think we could improve the game? G answered; sounds (didn’t specify what type). |
J
|
|
|
May need to add a start button to the intro screen.
J went straight for the try in screen rather than work their way along the screens, perhaps because they didn’t understand the instructions?
Maybe numbering the screens would be useful, the children can all count 1,2,3 easily.
Not sure about the play and pause buttons, didn’t really want to click and find out what they did, even with a bit of coaxing.
After the first screen, J seemed to recognise what the next arrow did. |
M
|
|
|
Instructions may be a problem?
Blue arrow on intro screen not intuitive as a next button.
A clear function might be an idea; M didn’t like to go ‘wrong’
Got used to using the graphics tablet and pen really quickly.
Maybe instead of the symbols use words, or add additional info to the buttons?
Preferred using the pen in the end more so tan the touch pad.At the end of playing the game we asked; did you read the instructions on any of the screens? M’s answer; no. |
We also made some additional observations and had a few more thoughts about what we could do to make the game better including:
Slow the watch video down, the children seemed to miss the video, and then didn’t really cotton on to the play and pause button which would allow them to re watch as many times as necessary
