This assignment will give you an opportunity to conduct experiments on the speed and accuracy of several input devices. You may work in a partner since there is a fair amount of programming involved.
You are to design a program that displays a target at a random screen position. The user's task is to position a cursor over the center of the target and signal completion of this task. Once the task is completed the target should be displayed at a new position and the task is repeated.
The over all task is to judge which of three pointing devices is the fastest and/or most accurate to use. Speed should be measured using elapsed time for the user to point to 10 targets for each device. Accuracy can be measured as the average distance from target center - using any convenient unit.
The three devices you choose to test might be: mouse, trackball, cursor keys, light pen, touch screen, touch tablet, joy stick, glove, steering wheel or something else. You need to obtain data from 3 to 5 sets of trials for each device.
You should form hypotheses about the relative performance of the devices before conducting your experiments. You should then compare your test results to your hypotheses.
You will need to summarize your findings in a 3 to 5 page memo to me. The write-up for this assignment is due 3 weeks from today. Your write-up for this assignment must include: the device brand names, commented program source listings, screen shots, relevant data displays, summary statistics, and discussion of your results.
Assigned: 2-21-08
Date due: 3-20-08