Usability of tablet computers to facilitate instant written feedback

Prigmore, Martyn and Gledhill, Duke (2015) Usability of tablet computers to facilitate instant written feedback. Innovation in Teaching and Learning in Information and Computer Sciences (ITALICS). ISSN 1473-7507

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Abstract

We undertake a usability evaluation of tablet computers and handwriting capture and recognition software for use in the classroom. The aim is to assess whether the current crop of tablets and available software offer a viable platform for the immediate capture and dissemination of formative or summative written feedback. If so, then these devices could offer an effective and efficient approach to sharing feedback with our students.
We examine a range of tablet devices, covering the major operating systems and touchscreen technologies. For each device, we consider a selection of handwriting capture and recognition apps, in each case choosing the best available for a detailed usability analysis. We develop usability criteria based on Nielsen’s Heuristics, refining them for the task at hand. The set of usability criteria developed should prove useful as a basis for future usability analyses of mobile technologies
Our findings indicate that there are combinations of tablet computer and handwriting capture, or recognition, software available now that are suitable for use in the classroom. The better quality combinations can be used for capturing and disseminating both formative and summative feedback. Handwriting recognition does require a tablet with an active digitizer and good quality commercial software. Tablets with a good capacitive screen and high quality handwriting capture apps are an acceptable alternative if recognition is not required.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General)
Schools:	School of Computing and Engineering School of Computing and Engineering > Serious Games Research Group
Related URLs:	Author Author
Depositing User:	Martyn Prigmore
Date Deposited:	01 Apr 2014 10:31
Last Modified:	09 Jan 2017 16:16
URI:	http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/19904

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• Usability of tablet computers to facilitate instant written feedback. (deposited 25 Mar 2014 16:19)
  • Usability of tablet computers to facilitate instant written feedback. (deposited 01 Apr 2014 10:31) [Currently Displayed]

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