Happy Hapai: Evaluating the Usability of a Pregnancy and Childbirth Preparation Website

Session Description
Pregnancy and childbirth are wonderful experiences for many women, and even their partners. During the period of gestation, there is a strong focus on the overall wellness of both mother and child, as well as planning for the birth and postpartum care. For individuals living on Oʻahu, there are many resources available; however, it can be a tiresome process to find the information expecting families need and want. As a quick reference, many individuals find themselves seeking answers on the Internet. For these reasons, there is a need for a comprehensive, location-based resource to assist expecting families.

To address this need, the researcher designed and developed an online resource containing useful information to help expecting parents make informed decisions about their pregnancy and delivery (https://dmyoshimoto.wixsite.com/happyhapai). A usability study of the website was conducted with the purpose of evaluating its functionality, navigability, and ease of use, as well as determining participant satisfaction. The study recruited nine (n = 9) participants, specifically individuals of child-bearing age who were pregnant or planning to have a child in the future, to evaluate the online resource. After three iterations, the results of the study indicated that the instructional resource was more appealing to the target audience with relatable images, consistent and clean page layouts, and clear and concise information.

The presentation will discuss the study’s results, including methods, project design, analysis of data and participant feedback, design implications, and modifications. The results support the idea that usability studies provide valuable feedback for developing resources that are effective and functional.

Presenter(s)
Demi Yoshimoto
Demi Yoshimoto, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, HI
Demi Yoshimoto was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She received her B.Ed. in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Following her undergraduate education, she began her teaching career through the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program in Okinawa, Japan. There she taught English to high school students. Upon her return to Hawaii, she entered the Hawaii Department of Education and began teaching Grade 2 at a local elementary school. She decided to continue her education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and is currently in her final year of the M.Ed. Learning Design and Technology Program.
Session Type
LTEC Session
Audience
All Audiences

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