NavGurukul Foundation is for Social Welfare built the Meraki app as an open source app.This service is provided by NavGurukul Foundation for Social Welfare at no cost and is intended for use as is.
I performed a heuristic evaluation for the Meraki app. One of the main benefits of conducting a heuristic evaluation is that it does not require any users. Evaluation could be conducted by any usability expert or a researcher from any place as it doesn't involve any users interview or expensive methods.
By analyzing reviews from Google Play Store only and by reviews, Users are quite happy with the app.From User point of view both app and website seems to have to good user experience.
Main features of the app
Search for the classes:Where User can directly lookup for the classes instead of scrolling down.
Languages available: Classes are conducted both in English and Hindi based on user preference.
Upcoming Classes and Enrolled Classes:Provide details of next up coming classes in both English and Hindi Languages and also has option to select the classes which were enrolled by User.
Separate tab for Courses available on the app:Classes which are already completed by User can again re visit the courses.
Mentor:separate section for users to connect with Mentors.
PLAY:Play section is where User can try out the features live after the courses like Typing or Python.
Evaluation criteria for Meraki
Heuristic principles for usability evaluations help to identify where a UI design is falling short of delivering a user-friendly experience.
Jakob Nielsen’s 10 general principles for interaction design. They are called “heuristics” because they are broad rules of thumb and not specific usability guidelines.
1.Visibility of System Status:
The system should always keep users informed about what is going on, through appropriate feedback within reasonable time.
User should able to understand “where I am” and”where I am going” through UI of the app and believe that the User are in control. Can make decisions about what will happen next and will automatically get confidence in the app.
Heuristic Evaluation Violated:NO
2. Match between system and the real world
The system should speak the users’ language, with words, phrases and concepts familiar to the user, rather than system-oriented terms. Follow real-world conventions, making information appear in a natural and logical order.
When a user is enrolling for a new class, they get a message with a notification symbol and also show under “Only Enrolled” section.
Heuristic Evaluation Violated:NO
3. User control and freedom
Users often choose system functions by mistake and will need a clearly marked “emergency exit” to leave the unwanted state without having to go through an extended dialogue. Support undo and redo.
User decides to opt to play with any classes or enroll for any classes or want to exit the app, it should be easy to select or back out from their option selected.
Heuristic Evaluation Violated:NO
4. Consistency and standards
Users should not have to wonder whether different words, situations, or actions mean the same thing.
Here the interaction design awalys remain same and should be easy for the User to understand or recognise where they are and return to Home or dashboard.
Heuristic Evaluation Violated:NO
5. Error prevention
Even better than good error messages is a careful design which prevents a problem from occurring in the first place. Either eliminate error-prone conditions or check for them and present users with a confirmation option before they commit to the action.
There are few occasions where User might accidentally press exit button or select some other key or button. The system should inform previously to be able to undo the option.
Heuristic Evaluation Violated:NO
6. Recognition rather than recall
Minimize the user’s memory load by making objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information from one part of the dialogue to another. Instructions for use of the system should be visible or easily retrievable whenever appropriate.
User have enrolled for few classes and missed notifications or messages. But when User open the app, its highlight for the classes which are enrolled.
Heuristic Evaluation Violated:NO
7. Flexibility and efficiency of use
Accelerators — unseen by the novice user — may often speed up the interaction for the expert user such that the system can cater to both inexperienced and experienced users. Allow users to tailor frequent actions.
Interaction with the app by the User should independent by outsider whether the user is logging for the first time or 100th time. User should be able to understand the autonomy of the app.
Heuristic Evaluation Violated:NO
8. Aesthetic and minimalist design
Dialogues should not contain information which is irrelevant or rarely needed. Every extra unit of information in a dialogue competes with the relevant units of information and diminishes their relative visibility.
Look of the app should basic and understandable for the User. User should be able to navigate by himself/herself from one item to another.App UI should follow basic or minimal visual basic and main goal of the app is to understand and not decorate.
Heuristic Evaluation Violated:NO
9. Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors
Error messages should be expressed in plain language (no codes), precisely indicate the problem, and constructively suggest a solution.
User is looking for information but not present in the app, app should give a message or dialogue pop up about the unavailability of the content or may be in future connect again.
Heuristic Evaluation Violated:NO
If there is an error message on the search bar, can be improved by having a action such as “make a new search” or “go back to home”. Students have to use the cross on search bar or click on the home tab again.
10. Help and documentation
Even though it is better if the system can be used without documentation, it may be necessary to provide help and documentation. Any such information should be easy to search, focused on the user’s task, list concrete steps to be carried out, and not be too large.
Meraki is simple app but with huge knowledge, for a user who is new to the app can watch a video before attending any classes.But there are no on boarding videos regarding the app like a tutorial while login into the app.
Heuristic Evaluation Violated:YES
These heuristic evaluations are given Jakob Nielsen in 1994 and has unchanged.
Users who are uninformed about the system’s current status cannot decide what to do next in order to accomplish their goals, nor can they figure out if their actions were effective or if they made a mistake.
Decision is up to the heuristic evaluator and the design team to determine the best decisions for their app.