How+do+I+create+feedback+for+the+user?

Introduction
You have asked the user to do something (e.g., enter data; drag a point; choose yes or no). After the user responds, the activity has to react. This reaction is the Programmed Feedback.

Programmed feedback can make i) text appear in a feedback text box and/or ii) one or more actions occur on the screen/stage.


 * Examples of Feedback Text || Examples of Feedback Action ||
 * 1) Correct. The numerator is 3 because 3 of the circles are red. || 1) Continue button shows. ||
 * 2) Incorrect. Count the number of red circles then try again. || 2) A visual clue appears on the stage. (e.g, an object receives emphasis by changing its position, colour, and or size). ||

Considerations for Feedback Text
Will the words Correct or Incorrect be used? Do any of the words need highighting (bold, italics)? For a partially correct response, will the correct part be acknowledged before giving feedback on the incorrect part? Is the feedback clear and succinct? Will the feedback fit in the allotted space? Is the feedback judgemental? Is the feedback meaningful/descriptive? Should the feedback be progressive? How does the feedback change (become more directive) as the number of incorrect attempts increases? Should the feedback be specific or generic? (ie. generic: same feedback regardless of the type of error made; specific: feedback varies depending upon the types of error made by the user)

March Break 2010 Presentation: [|Feedback Considerations.swf] (sample activites, questions to consider) Sample of storyboard with progressive feedback [|CL005_C02_A01_M_WhatsMyFloor_SB_TrishGPCv5.pdf]

Feedback suggestions for __incorrect__ responses: - state correct elements - prompt thinking about why the response was incorrect - prompt thinking about how to correct the error - give instructions on how to proceed

Feedback suggestion for __correct__ response: - some users will be unsure of why their response is correct (e.g., lucky guess) so giving feedback for correct responses is encouraged

Design Process
1) list all conditions for a correct response (e.g., 4 red circles; 0 blue circles; correctly stacked; placed over '0';check pressed) 2) Formulate the 'Correct' response i.e., tell the user what makes their response correct. (e.g., The constant part is the 4 red circles part. The circles are arranged the same way in each of the positions.) 3) Imagine what the user might do incorrectly and determine whether there is a hierarchy for the feedback. (e.g., If the user drags something to the wrong area, feedback can be given immediately before Check is pressed. If the user has dragged 5 red circles and 2 blue circles when only 4 red circles are required, you can give feedback on the use of blue circles before addressing the incorrect number of red circles. Feedback can be designed so that it helps the user correct one error at a time.) 4) Decide if some responses are mutually exclusive and exist at the same level in the hierachy of feedback. (e.g., The response requires 4 red circles arranged correctly and 0 blue circles. The user correctly did not include any blue circles. Mutually exclusive responses to this user action include feedback for: i) more than 4 red circles; ii) less than 4 red circles; iii) exactly 4 red circles but incorrectly arranged.) 4) Decide on an exit strategy. If the user continues to give incorrect responses how will they exit from the scene? One strategy is to give the correct response and ask the user to do it. Another strategy is to count the number of attempts and when the maximum number is reached, the correct answer is given and the Continue button shows. Sometimes you can use a version of the Correct response as the feedback for this final feedback.

Four Types of Programmed Feedback
Outlined in the graphic at the end of this page: Type 1: Independent (this is what always occurs) Type 2; Depends on user Attempt Number (e.g., hints get more specific) Type 3: Depends on User Response (e.g., numerator right and denominator wrong versus both wrong) Type 4: Depends on User Response until Max Attempts (this provides an exit option)

The storyboard template (download [|StoryboardTemplateV9.doc]) contains template tables for each type of feedback. The sample storyboard (download [|SampleStoryboard.pdf] ) contains examples of how the tables can be used. - contains a table for each type of feedback