[Year 12 SofDev] Ease of use clarification

[Mark KELLY]

Good question.

Actually, I don't agree that ease of use is an efficiency measure - to me
it's a quality (effectiveness) criterion.  The amount of labour (as in
"man-hours") is has always been an efficiency issue, but I think the study
design confuses "labour" and "ease of use".  But it's there and while
there's no use complaining about it, I can only hope it's re-evaluated for
the next study design.

And yes - what is the difference between 'ease of use' and 'usability'?

The definition of usability in the ISO 9241 standard is: *"The extent to
which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals
with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a specified context of
use"  (quoted from
http://www.wqusability.com/articles/more-than-ease-of-use.html)
*

Wikipedia, for what it's worth, says "*Usability* is the ease of use and
learnability of a human-made object."

Sadly, the study design's glossary does not define usability even though
it's used by 2 other glossary entries.

So is there a clear-cut difference between usability and ease of use, I
wonder?


On 22 September 2011 12:47, Rattan, Kushum L <
rattan.kushum.l at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:

>  Could someone please clarify if “ ease of use” of a software solution a
> measure of Efficiency or Effectiveness. ****
>
> ** **
>
> In the study design glossary this is what is included as Efficiency “Measures
> of an efficient solution include****
>
> the speed of processing, the functionality of the solution, the ease****
>
> of use of the solution”****
>
> ** **
>
> Whereas under Effectiveness this is what is stated:****
>
> Measures of an effective solution include completeness, readability,
> attractiveness,****
>
> clarity, accuracy, accessibility, timeliness, communication of message,
> relevance and usability.****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> Kushum Rattan**
>
> Information and Communications Technology****
>
> Curriculum Area Leader****
>
> Gisborne Secondary College****
>
> (03)54283691****
>
> rattan.kushum.l at edumail.vic.gov.au <mcclusky.brigid.m at edumail.vic.gov.au>*
> ***
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
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-- 
Mark Kelly
Manager of ICT, Reporting, IT Learning Area
McKinnon Secondary College
McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
Direct line / Voicemail: +613 8520 9085, Fax +613 9578 9253
kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au
VCE IT Lecture Notes: http://vceit.com
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