Jesus Vargas
EDTEC 561
Chapter 27: User-Design Research
Summary
This chapter discusses the
research that has been done on user-design in the area of instructional and
informational sciences. The basic idea
of user-design is to involve the “end-user” in the creation process of whatever
it is that is being created. The logic
behind it is that since ultimately the end-user is the one that is expecting
benefits from the new creation, s/he knows best, or at the very least, can
provide valuable input as to how to design it or how to create it.
This partnership in the
creation however, is seldom true. It is explained
that there is a hesitation by the designer to forfeit some of the power or
control of the project to the user. In
part for historical reasons (“it’s the way it’s always been done”) and in part
because it can potentially lead to setbacks such as loss of time and
messiness.
Reflection
I work at a high school that
has a school site council. The group
consists of the assistant superintendent, administrators, teachers, community
members, parents, and students. This
council is supposed to be in charge of any major decision that will affect the
high school. Everything from
distribution of funds to adoption of new class schedules is presented to the
council on their meetings for approval.
In theory, whatever is decided in the meeting is what will take
place. This is a perfect example of how
the users can provide input in the creation process. However, and quite unfortunately, that’s not
how it really works. The truth of the
matter is that regardless of what is discussed and decided at the meetings, the
administrators will turn around and do what “they,” the “designers,” see
fit. It happens just how the chapter
suggests and for the same reasons the chapter suggests. They feel that they are the ones who know
best and that involving so many parties in the process would take too long.
Carr-Chellman,
A.,