Device font size was too small for effective classroom instruction
Research Question
What is the ideal font size for legibility in a classroom setting?
Approach
The company’s large hardware, similar to a 90 inch TV, presented a challenge for remote studies as critical contextual and environmental factors that influence user experience could be missed. In-person testing was required.
To accurately assess the best font size, a mock eye exam was conducted using a test format. Different questions were displayed on the device in descending font sizes. If participants answered correctly, it indicated they could read the question, simulating how students would interact with the content in a real classroom setting.
Research Challenge
The ideal study design would have child participants in a typical classroom. However, due to school restrictions on teaching time, I couldn’t conduct the research in an actual classroom.
After exploring several creative alternatives, I ultimately set up two mock classrooms in the office and used coworkers as participants. This resulted in a conservative test: if adults with access to healthcare struggled to read the font, then children, some of whom may have untreated vision issues, would likely struggle even more.
Findings
The in-person usability study uncovered several insights, including that the font size was too small to read at a distance or angle, the font had a drop shadow that made it hard to read at an angle which is where teachers stand, and a preferred font size was identified.
It was also discovered that designers were creating products on small screens (e.g., 14-inch laptops) without testing on the much larger hardware. They had not fully accounted for the differences in hardware size or the environment (i.e., looking at a screen up close versus users being 10-20 feet away).
Impact
These actionable results allowed the product team to quickly decide on font standardization.
To help designers account for real-world classroom conditions, the company provided every designer with classroom hardware, enabling accurate testing and better-informed design decisions.
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