Using usability, mobility, and playability heuristics to evaluate mobile apps for children

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Mission Statement

In recent years, mobile devices have become a dominant information and communication technology in modern familiies. Children today interact with mobile devices on a daily basis, raising critical discussions about the impact of technology and their language and social interaction skills development. Through interviewing speech language pathologists (SLPs) and mobile app designers and developers, we gathered popular apps used by SLPs with chidlren with communication impairments, extracted reviews for these apps, and anayzed user requested features and design opportunities for multiple mobile apps.


2

App Developers


345

Amount of Reviews


33

Hours Spent

Heuristics

Broad rules for designing user interface

usability_icon

Usability

The design of controls and interfaces that allows users to interact with the app


GU1. Audio-visual Representation supports the game GU2. Screen layout is efficient and visually pleasing GU3. Device UI and game UI are used for their own purposes GU4. Indicators are visible GU5. The player understands the terminology GU6. Navigation is consistent, logical, and minimalist GU7. Control keys are consistent and follow standard conventions GU8. Game controls are convenient and flexible GU9. The game gives feedback on the player’s actions GU10. The player cannot make irreversible errors GU11. The player does not have to memorize things unnecessarily GU12. The game contains help
mobility_icon

Mobility

The ease of using the app from the start to finish, and handle interruptions and surroundings


MO1. Audio-visual Representation supports the game MO2. The game accommodates with the surroundings MO3. Interruptions are handled reasonably
playability_icon

Playability

How gameplay is integrated in the app with understanding about game goals and player experience


GP1. The game provides clear goals or supports player-created goals GP2. The player sees the progress in the game and can compare the results GP3. The players are rewarded and rewards are meaningful GP4. The player is in control GP5. Challenge, strategy, and pace are in balance GP6. The first-time experience is encouraging GP7. The game story supports the gameplay and is meaningful GP8. There are no repetitive or boring tasks GP9. The players can express themselves GP10. The game supports different playing styles GP11. The game does not stagnate GP12. The game is consistent GP13. The game uses orthogonal unit differentiation GP14. The player does not lose any hard-won possessions

Testimonials



Sponsors

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FeedCheck is the easiest way to aggregate your product reviews into one scalable platform and read, measure, understand and act on your customer feedback right on time. Companies from consumer electronics, home appliances, apparel and IT use FeedCheck to bring their online customer voice to their product management and marketing communication and ensure prompt customer support across online stores, anywhere.

https://feedcheck.co/
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The Noun Project is an open-sourced online creative community where millions of users contribute to icons that can simplify communication, across borders and around the world.

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About Us

groupphoto

We are a team of undergraduate and graduate students in Informatics and Public Health at the University of California, Irvine. We analyze publically available app reviews and develop guidelines to help parents, teachers, and therapists evaluating and choosing apps for children.