Appropriating Digital Collaboration Tools for Usability Education and Research

This paper investigates the appropriation of multi-user digital collaboration tools for use in an HCI-related educational context. Specifically, we assess the suitability of three specific tools for in-class heuristic evaluations in a small-scale study over two consecutive semesters. The goal of the in-class activity was not only to experience a heuristic evaluation first-hand, but also to foster active collaboration between participants and facilitate reflection about the process. Based on the results, we identify requirements for key functionalities of digital tools to support such group-based heuristic evaluation settings.