ADDIE Design:
Design the Interface

1. Interface
   The interface is a very important part of the instruction. Interfaces can without words convey messages to learners. As such, they can have motivational or de-motivational effects. An appealing interface can draw the learner to be engaged in the course while a confusing or non-appealing interface can have the opposite effect.
   
   There are several parts to and interface:
   • The orientation: lets the learner know where in the instruction he/she is at. This can be done by tabs, color schemes, and bread crumbs among other things.
   
   
   • Navigation: allows the movement in and out of sections of the instruction. Navigation should be efficient as well as intuitive and is accoplished by the use of menus, buttons, and links of different kinds.
   
   
   • A theme or metaphor: This is what the environment for the instruction is trying to resemble. In instruction the metaphor is often the classroom or training center. In such case the interface might have elements that mimic a classroom. The metaphor is supported by the look and feel provided by style and graphics. The metaphor helps the learner get into an appropriate state of mind. Test your metaphor before you fully implement it and don’t choose “way out things”, choose things your learners can relate to.



2. Layout
   The layout is related to the Interface design but it is not the same as the interface. Within a certain look and feel we can have a number of different layouts. Test moving buttons, links and other elements of the design around and see if they make any difference. In some advanced systems the learner can alter the layout as you do in many portals on the web. This might help the learner feel in control but it reduces predictability and adds extra complexity depending on your system.
   
   Test your layout to make sure it is as friendly as you anticipate. Often those too close to the instruction miss obvious features.
   
   
   
3. Usability testing
   As you might have noticed above, you were encouraged to do user testing to verify the design and layout. This is called “usability”. It is best to do usability testing with those who have not seen or are not familiar with your instruction. A fresh pair of eyes uncovers a lot more and is less biased. Don’t take the advice of the first tester; instead, use a number of them to make address those things that are consistently identified as problematic.
   
   Remember that at this stage you are only dealing with ideas. You don't have a developed site to test. What you are using at this stage are mock-ups of the site. Screen shots that are mere images without functionality. Yet, this is some of the most valuable testing because you have maximum flexibility to change things. You also have not invested in the development and therefore you will not feel that a change will mean a waste of a lot of money, time, and effort.




4. Template design
   Once you have incorporated the results from the usability testing you are ready to create a template that will apply to all pages in your instruction. Having templates is not required but if you have them they will make development of subsequent pages easier and more consistent.
   
   Use flowchart, layout and design to help you create a template. This will insure you have the right template for the right part of your site.

Top