IPad AAC App Usability Study presented at International Society on Augmentative and Alternative Communication Conference, July, 2012.

1. Usability Testing for AAC Apps on IPad
P.R. Mitchell, Ph.D., Kent State University
Kent, OH, US
Introduction Methods Results App Sources
The development of AAC apps for the Subjects were 40 undergraduate and Task Accuracies Ablenet, Inc., Sounding Board [IOS
iOS platform has outpaced research to graduate students without prior app]. Roseville, MN.
Overall results for task accuracies across
evaluate the usability of such apps. A experience with IPad use. Subjects were
both experiments indicated that Assistive Ware BV, Proloquo2Go
usability protocol was developed for this randomly assigned to one of two [IOS app]. The Netherlands.
Expressive and Sounding Board had the
investigation to evaluate IPad AAC apps concurrent studies consisting of 20 Ss
highest overall accuracies, followed by Bapzz, ltd., iComm, [IOS app].
for ease of use in setup and completing assigned tasks with three
Voice4U and iComm, then Scene Speak Location unknown.
programming. apps, then completing a written
and Proloquo2Go.
questionnaire. Subjects received brief Good Karma Application, Inc.
Materials used included:
initial training in IPad operation. User Satisfaction Questionnaire Scene Speak, [IOS app]. Valley
Original IPads running iOS 4.6 Center, CA.
Study 1 tested Scene Speak, Voice4U Overall Ease of Use:
AAC Apps: Voice4U, SceneSpeak, and Sounding Board, and Study 2 tested Smarty Ears, LLC., Expressive,
Study 1: Subjects rated Sounding Board [IOS app]. Dallas/Fort Worth, TX.
Sounding Board, Expressive, iComm and Expressive, iComm and Proloquo2Go.
as easiest to use, followed by Voice4U,
Proloquo2Go. (All apps were current The order of apps was randomized for
then Scene Speak. Spectrum Visions LLC, Voice4U,
versions as of December 2011). each subject. [IOS app]. San Jose, CA.
Study 2: Expressive was rated easiest to
Two HD video cameras Tasks: Subjects were instructed with
use, followed by iComm, then
written cards to complete the following
Studio lighting Proloquo2Go.
tasks with each app tested:
User Questionnaire 1. create and name a folder/board/ Ease of Configuration:
scene Study 1: Voice4U was rated easiest to
2. add 4 vocabulary buttons configure, then Sounding Board, then
3. add voice output for the 4 buttons Scene Speak.
4. edit one image (insert a new image, Study 2: Expressive was rated easiest to
change the title and program new voice configure, then iComm, followed by
output for the image) Proloquo2Go.
Data were analyzed for accuracy of Limitations. Apps were tested without
completion of above tasks, and for user prior training or the use of manuals or
comments and ratings on the tutorials. Results could vary if a training
questionnaire. Task accuracies were phase were included in the protocol.
rated by two coders using a 4 point Finally, several of the tested apps have
scale: 0-did not complete, 1-inaccurate, received updates since December 2012,
2- mostly accurate, and 3-accurate. so findings with new versions could differ. pmitchel@kent.edu
Inter-rater agreement was over 85% for
Acknowledgment: Thanks to Alyssa A., Holly E., all tasks and apps.
Rachel F. and Carolyn M. for their invaluable
assistance with this study.