Calm technology – Feedbacks that informs without overburdening

Every instructional designer is taught about the significance of providing feedbacks. The importance of providing effective feedbacks in computer-based learning is well known to instructional designers since the advent of the discipline. However today educational technologist are attempting to change the face of computers they are experimenting on innovative ways in which computer technologies can be used in different forms for example the palmtops. While attempting to use these new innovations, it is valuable to take two cents from Norman on how to provide feedbacks.
In the readings this week Norman advocates the type of feedbacks that informs users without overburdening them. To elucidate his point he provides example of machines and applications that can presents feedbacks in calming and irritating modes. According to me this two cents are also applicable to the principles of instructional design.
A very recent example that I can think of, is an educational software that is being developed for school children. The software is game, which is designed to inform the consequences of war. The students are expected to play the roles of soldiers and are expected to make critical decisions. These critical decisions are made on a computer screen, which are called the decision stations the actual computers are hidden, and the students are not aware of the backend that is being used. The screen presents the students a graphical interface, here the student has to use sliders and meter gauzes to understand the implications of their decision.
When these decisions stations were first tested with a group of students, it was found that the students were struggling to find the cues and waiting for feedbacks for interacting with the interface. However it failed to provide them with the necessary feedback. This reminds me of the Newton system that failed to meet the user expectations, as it remained silent on users incorrect method of using the system. In the case of the decision station I could observe the same thing was happening. Here the technology was challenging the students by being silent. One good thing was that the product was still in its testing phase and will be improve upon…this experience also establishes the importance of usability testing in instructional design.

thanks for reading