Wednesday, 26 March 2008

• Assignment 3- Emotion Design Probe

  Basically, we chose to focus on LT8 for our assignment. Given that LT8 is one of the newer lecture theatres, we hope to find out more about its usability. To find out about the learning experiences of students in LT8, we went to LT 8 to observe students during a Social Work lecture, and we conducted interviews with a few students after the lecture. In addition, we interviewed a few of the students we know to find out about the things they liked and dislike about LT8. The latter interviews were conducted using the laddering technique we learned in class.

   

  Steps Taken:

   

  1) Ethnographic observations at LT8 (During a Social Work Lecture)

   

  When we were observing students at LT8, we tried to make ourselves inconspicuous, but it was relatively hard to conceal ourselves, hence we did not take many pictures. Nevertheless, we were sitting at the last row, and in the row right in front of us, one of the students was playing some online shooting game on his laptop! We were quite surprised as he played the game throughout the whole lecture and did not pay any attention to the lecturer.

   

   

  We also noticed that while some students were talking among themselves and doing their own stuff during the lecture, some of the students were devoting full attention to the lecture without being distracted by those who were chatting away.

   

  

   

  

   

   

   

  2) Interviews with students after the Social Work Lecture

   

  We interviewed a few students after the lecture to find out about their learning experiences. What we gathered from these interviews was that given the same product/facilities, different people can have totally different experiences. For example, Michelle, 21 finds the learning environment in LT8 conducive while Tang, 19 finds LT8 too big and hence he is unable to focus his attention. In addition, Michelle could find nothing bad about LT8 to complain about while Tang could find nothing good about LT8 to talk about.

   

  3) Interviews with students on LTs in general

   

  According to our participants, the positive aspects of the FASS’s LTs in general are its pleasing aesthetics and comfy seats. These elements help students concentrate better during lectures. However, despite the comfort of the seats, the spacing of the seats in the LTs is deemed to be too cramped together. This increases students’ fear of falling and hurting themselves when they are walking in between rows. The low temperatures in many LTs also affect students’ ability to focus and students’ rate of taking down notes.

   

  4) Interviews with 9 students using laddering technique (Focus is on LT8)

   

  Each of us interviewed about 3 students, and through the analysis of the ladders, we found out again that experiences are very subjective. An element that an individual likes might be disliked by another individual. In some cases, different participants may like or dislike the same characteristics, but their main source of like/dislike differs. There are many examples from 9 ladders and I will cite a few.

   

  Example 1) Seats:  23 year-old Khoo feels that the comfy seats help her concentrate better but the main reason behind her liking of the seats is money related. On the other hand, 23 year-old Jason expressed his dislike for the “lousy seats” as the table is too small and it inconveniences him, thus distracting his attention and affecting his grades.

   

  Example 2) Location: 25 year-old Alvin disliked the location as it’s inaccessible and his chances of being late increase when he has a lecture at LT8. This reflects badly on his self-image. For 22 year-old Yvonne, she likes that LT8 is near to the canteen as she can get food easily and quickly. It is time-saving for her and her main reason behind this liking is to get good grades.

                     

  An interesting point to note: a LOVE/HATE relationship with LT8 is possible.

  For instance, 24 year-old Poh and 23 year-old Ding, cited the location as BOTH a good and bad characteristics of LT8. 23 year-old Ding dislikes the inaccessibility of LT8 and his main reason lies in the frustration he feels when he is late and has to walk a long way to get to LT8. However, the fact that LT8 is near the canteen is something he likes best about LT8 as quick access to food and drinks is important to lighten him up and help him study better.

   

  5) Summary of Analysis

   

  To sum up, an element that is a sacrifice to some might be a reward to others. What some students find appealing about the LT might be exactly what others find appalling about the LT. Moreover, though the things that some students like and disliked about LT8 could be the same, the reasons behind their liking and disliking is subjected to their individual experiences. Experiences could be a positive or negative one for the same module lecture in the same LT. It is all dependent on the individual. The key is Subjectivity.

  “Objectivity requires taking subjectivity into account.” – Lorraine Code

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