Researchers developed an app to enhance a static tourist map using NFC tags to provide additional location information. They tested the app's usability with participants and found that while users saw the benefit of extra information, the technology presented usability issues. The researchers concluded that further work is needed to improve the directions mode and interaction, and to leverage device capabilities and cloud technology to enhance the available information.

1. ENTER 2015 Research Track Slide Number 1
Usability Study of an NFC-Enabled
Static Tourist Map
Beverley Cook, Elahe Kani-Zabihi and
Thomas Hughes-Roberts
Nottingham Trent University, UK
beverley.cook@ntu.ac.uk
http://www.institutionsiteorotherrelevantsite.org

2. ENTER 2015 Research Track Slide Number 2
Content
• Problem Area
• Our Solution
• User Testing
• Conclusions

3. ENTER 2015 Research Track Slide Number 3
Problem Area
• Used to 24/7 access to rich
content
• Electronic solutions are
expensive
• Static maps often provided,
but contain little
information
• Can be difficult to use

4. ENTER 2015 Research Track Slide Number 4
Problem Area
• Can we make maps easier to use and
enhance the information available using
standard technology that is inexpensive?

5. ENTER 2015 Research Track Slide Number 5
Our Solution
• Utilize NFC Tags to identify locations of the
map
• Tags can be hidden so they don’t obscure
the map
• NFC Enabled smart phones can be used to
read the tags

6. ENTER 2015 Research Track Slide Number 6
Prototype

7. ENTER 2015 Research Track Slide Number 7
Mode 1 – Find a location

8. ENTER 2015 Research Track Slide Number 8
Mode 2 – Explore Map

9. ENTER 2015 Research Track Slide Number 9
Testing Results
• Participants did not find the map easier to
use with the app than without it.
• ‘Explore Map’ was thought to be useful
“…extra information about the spot you are focussing on
because the amount of information printed on the map is
limited”
• Potential for accessibility (eg vision-
impaired users) was identified

10. ENTER 2015 Research Track Slide Number 10
Testing Results
Issues with the technology
•Part of the map is obscured by the phone
•User’s don’t know how close to hold the
phone to read the tags
•User’s don’t know where the tags are
•Screen size and dropdown menus can be
hard to use

11. ENTER 2015 Research Track Slide Number 11
Conclusions
• User’s can see the benefit of additional
information provided
• The directions mode needs further work to
improve usability and usefulness
• Utilize device capabilities to improve
interaction, eg voice input

12. ENTER 2015 Research Track Slide Number 12
Further Work
• Carry out usability testing on NFC with
different devices
• Adapt the app to a more complex map
• Cloud-enable to increase and improve the
information available.
• Develop in-app training method to give
experience of reading NFC
• Investigate accessibility options