A Usability Study on the Paeloko Website

Abstract

Frequent content update on a given website is a key factor to keeping users informed about an organization's mission. Paeloko, a place-based native Hawaiian organization, provides a hands-on learning environment, through indigenous ancestral arts, culture, and language at the exclusive Waiheʻe land division on the island of Maui. The original website for Paeloko’s lacked content appeal to aid potential educators interested in the educational medium Paeloko offers.

The purpose for this usability study is to improve the ease-of-use, user satisfaction and efficiency in aiding educators on the Paeloko website (https://sites.google.com/a/hawaii.edu/paeloko2017/about), built with Google Sites, an online collaborative website platform. Eight participants were included in two rounds of in-person and remote usability testing. Each session was both screened and audio recorded in order to obtain both qualitative and quantitative data through the thinking aloud process. Pre- and post-surveys collected quantitative and qualitative data, which included participant background information, demographics, and website use.

The suggestions and concerns by participants and executive director were improved upon completion of each round. Improvements included revising the homepage and logo, organizing the layout, changing a resource link name, reducing white space, and creating sub-pages for specific audiences.