Instructions Analysis
The main goal of the ”Instructions Analysis” assignment was to test our comprehension of how to analyze a document and how to test the effectiveness of that document.
The first step of the assignment was to select a set of instructions. It was recommended that we chose instructions that pertained to our major or future career. As a landscape architecture major, there are no real instructions on how to be a designer. So, I chose a set of instructions that I was very familiar with. A pumpkin pie recipe. I have made this recipe several times and I bake very often. As I bake often, I have used several different kinds of recipes. Some recipes are geared towards children and some toward experienced bakers. Having this knowledge I felt like this would be an easy assignment.
The second step of this assignment was to test the set of instructions using either the “usability testing handout” that was given out during class or to create our own method of user testing. I chose to test two people: an experienced baker and an inexperienced baker (test results can been viewed by clicking the appropriate link). By using the two extremes, I would be able to see which end of the spectrum the recipe was written for.
Finally, we wrote a 2-3 page memo. This memo described our test results, defined the specific audience, addressed any problems found with the instructions and suggested ways to improve the instructions.
Despite this assignment taking a little more time to complete it was one of my favorite assignments. Even though the specifics of the assignment were left up to us, I feel that it was structured enough to be easier than the “formal memo” assignment (which I had trouble with because the topic was left up to us). I enjoyed being able to incorporate one of my favorite hobbies into an assignment. The usability tests even turned out to be a fun way to spend time with my roommate and get my mom involved in what I do at school.
