Usability & Reflection

Original Implementation Video

This video provides a high-level walkthrough of my professional learning implementation plan. It highlights the key components of the design, including the rationale, instructional strategies, and tools used to support new teacher onboarding. The video serves as a companion to the full project documentation, offering insight into how the plan was structured to align with adult learning principles, support campus goals, and enhance usability for a smooth rollout.

Usability

To conduct usability testing, I invited colleagues to join the Google Classroom course using a student join code. Once enrolled, they selected random activities to complete under three core modules of the course from a student perspective:

  1. Start Here

  2. Day 1 

  3. Day 2

They explored each module’s structure, reviewed embedded resources, and completed various onboarding tasks such as submitting the Staff Device Custody Receipt and verifying their contact information. This approach provided valuable insight into how new staff might engage with the content and identified areas where navigation or clarity could be improved.

Reflection

Google Classroom performed consistently well on district-issued devices, and testers responded positively to the clear, streamlined organization of the course.

As part of the feedback process, I reorganized the original three modules into four clearly defined, topic-based modules to improve clarity and flow:

  1. Introduction

  2. TA DA List

  3. Preparing Your Laptop

  4. IFP, Phones & Support

This restructured format replaced the previous day-based layout, making navigation more intuitive and helping learners easily identify where to begin and what to complete. I also created a dedicated TA DA List to clearly outline required tasks and ensure all onboarding activities were explicitly communicated.

The improvements resonated with users—one teacher shared the course with a campus administrator, who was impressed with the design and usability. As a result, she allocated dedicated time during the first six days of campus professional development for teachers to work through the modules collaboratively as a team.

Feedback & Revisions

This video summarizes the usability testing process conducted for the Techultura professional learning course. It outlines the feedback collected from educators, highlights the user experience challenges identified, and explains the course revisions made in response. The video demonstrates how feedback informed the reorganization of content, improved navigation, and enhanced visual clarity to better support onboarding for new teachers.

References

Bates, A. W. (2019). Teaching in a digital age: Guidelines for designing teaching and learning. https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/

 

Fink, L. D. (2003). Creating significant learning experiences: An integrated approach to designing college courses. Jossey-Bass.

 

Gulamhussein, A. (2013). Teaching the teachers: Effective professional development in an era of high stakes accountability. Center for Public Education. http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/system/files/2013-176_ProfessionalDevelopment.pdf

 

Harapnuik, D. (2016). Why you need a BHAG to design learning environments. It’s About Learning. https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=6414

 

Harapnuik, D. (2017). Why we need to rethink learning. https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=6675

 

Harapnuik, D. (2018). COVA. It’s About Learning. https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991

 

Harapnuik, D. (2019). Competency-based vs outcomes-based education. It’s About Learning. https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=7889

 

Harapnuik, D. (2020). Why I don’t use checklists, progress bars & other activity monitors. It’s About Learning. https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=8314

 

Round Rock ISD. (2024, September). Anderson Mill Campus Improvement Plan. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B13hERGxqDqDYUh6NzgwdkJaV1E?resourcekey=0-fHEmRVBC9i7JEZxe9yS8pw

 

Round Rock ISD. (2024, September). Wells Branch Campus Improvement Plan. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B13hERGxqDqDYUh6NzgwdkJaV1E?resourcekey=0-fHEmRVBC9i7JEZxe9yS8pw

 

Round Rock ISD Instructional Technology. (n.d.). Instructional technology. https://insttech.roundrockisd.org/