Usability Testing & Reflection
July 25, 2025 | EDLD 5318 | Summer 2025
Usability Video
Introduction
Designing and teaching online isn’t just about uploading materials, it’s about intentionally shaping a learning environment that feels clear, welcoming, and supportive.
As part of my instructional design process for the course “Exploring AI Tools in Education,” I conducted usability testing to gain a deeper understanding of how real users experience my course.
Usability testing helps uncover hidden barriers that might confuse or frustrate learners. Things instructors may overlook because we know our own courses so well. By inviting others to navigate my course and complete an actual activity, I could observe where they hesitated, what directions felt unclear, and what parts worked well.
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In this process, I worked with two testers: Madison, who represents my target audience as a potential student, and Charles, a colleague with curriculum design experience. They explored the “Start Here” section and completed a short Module 1 activity, sharing their thoughts and suggestions through screen recordings and discussion.
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Their feedback was invaluable in highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement in my course. Below, you’ll find a video walkthrough of the usability testing process, the changes I made based on their feedback, and a reflection on how this experience has shaped my approach to designing meaningful and user-centered learning experiences.
Going through the usability testing process was eye-opening and humbling. It showed me firsthand how even small design choices, like where to place a syllabus link or how instructions are phrased, can make a big difference in how students interact with the course.
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One of the biggest lessons I learned is that clarity and simplicity are at the heart of good course design. What feels obvious to me as the instructor can be completely unclear to someone new. Adding a simple “Need Help?” section, reorganizing my “Start Here” page, and breaking longer instructions into short, actionable steps helped remove potential barriers for learners and made the course feel more approachable.
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Another takeaway was the importance of support. Usability testing is not a one-time event but part of an ongoing commitment to refine and adapt my course. It helped me see how activities align with learning outcomes, identify gaps, and better support students who may feel overwhelmed by digital tools or new content.
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Overall, this process has reinforced my belief that the learner experience should guide every design decision. By stepping back and viewing my course through students’ eyes, I was able to create a more organized, accessible, and engaging learning environment. Moving forward, I plan to include regular usability testing in every design cycle, making continuous improvement a central part of my teaching philosophy.
Reflection