Make sure to take the HSC test by next Thursday.

Tips for conducting a usability test (Barnum 2002, Molich, 2001, Nielsen Norman Group)
Before the test

• rehearse the test before the actual tests
• confirm wtih users for scheudles before the test dates is important
• when writing task, avoid hidden clues (or leading them to the actions you’re intending to test)
• do not describe too detailed steps to complete a task

Recruitment

• make sure you screen participating users before they actually participate
• make sure your users are not experts in design or development or usability (thus, it’s not the best idea to get other HCI students to take your tests)
• usually its not a good idea to bring previously participated users again to another test for a new project
• generally, novice users  are best to use to discover critical usability problems

During the Test

• make sure you make users feel at ease, start from a simple task (e.g. beginning with a login task)
• you may give one task at a time
• make sure to give some time for preparations for each test (at least 20 minutes between tests)
• make a checklist for things-to-do before each test session starts (setting up video recording hardware/software, deleting broswer history, etc..)

During the debriefing session

• you can add more debriefing questions in addtion to the ones you already have
• collect all the quesitons from all your team members
• return to key problems the participant user encountered

For your testing, you can download the trial version of Camtasia to use on your laptop.