Examining the Usability of a Data Teams Website

Abstract

An increase from the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act has put schools and teachers under more pressure to develop methods to increase student achievement scores. The data team method allows teachers to collect data, analyze strengths and obstacles, establish goals, review instructional strategies, and analyze results. In 2013, Aliamanu Middle School (AMS), a public school on the island of Oahu, adopted the data team method of collecting and analyzing student performance in order to improve student learning. Until now, there has not been a convenient method for teams to share their data. I developed a website to house common assessments and student performance data for teams and administrators at AMS to use to locate, analyze, and share. The purpose of this usability study was to examine the ease-of-use and navigation of a data team website designed to house data and resources for teachers and administrators at AMS. Participants included ten teachers and administrators, all of whom were give four specific tasks to complete, and a post-survey regarding the navigation and functionality of the website. All ten participants completed each task with ease. Feedback from participants concluded that the site was user friendly, easy to navigate, served a functional role in the data team process at AMS, but needed more colorful fonts and pictures.