To help students and instructors use learning tools successfully, user interface (UI) text must be clear, concise, confident, and inconspicuous. These principles stem from the following assumptions about our users.
Our users are not us
Our users have many distinct identities, life experiences, and ways of perceiving
and interacting in the
world. Some of these differences might challenge our subconscious biases. For this
reason, it's
important to remember that our users are not all:
- computer proficient
- college-educated
- college-bound
- native English speakers
- visual
- male or female
- proficient readers
Our users want to teach and to learn
What our users have in common is that they are engaged as instructors or students in the life-changing mission of teaching and learning. Their ultimate goal is student success.
Our users' goals do not include learn the learning platform or read the user interface.