Heuristic Evaluation

1. Feedback: The pen provides the necessary feedback to the user at all times. The LCD screen when on standby, prompts the user to say a word. When the word is spoken, the screen displays each step clearly. Also each step can be heard through the speaker as well. So the user gets feedback from the product whenever that is needed and using two different output methods.
2. Everyday language: The pen interacts with the user in a very simple manner and in ways that children fully understand. The output from the screen is the word that the child would try and write down and simple instructions like "speak word" and "well done!". Even when the child does not understand what is written, sound commands make it clear to him/her.
3. Undo: If the user writes down one letter of a word wrong, the procedure starts from the beginning. Since the child actually writes down every letter, if he/she makes a mistake, the only next logical step, is to start again from the beginning. If the pen prompted the user to continue writing the word, even if the user made a mistake, the final outcome would not represent correctly the actual word spoken.
4. Consistency: A consistency problem would not affect the final product's performance, since the pen runs on its own hardware and software. The only problem that could arise, is the incompatiblity of the sync program and station, but these could easily be overcome. The sync station connects to the pc via USB that almost every single computer has these days. The actual sync program could be written in a platform independent language, such as Java.
5. Recognition not recall: Every step is clearly presented to the user, in the two alternative ways we described above.
6. Simple design: The operation of the pen is as simple as going through a game. Screen output is very minimal and only the necessary inforamtion is displayed to the user. Animations at the beginning and the end of each word, instruct/reward the user. They are simple enough for children to understand.
7. Documentation: The child can pick the pen and use it straight away. The one-button configuration, keeps things simple and clear. The screen and speaker ouput give the essential guidance to the user.