This page is under construction. Some parts may be missing.
Master’s Thesis Project
Exploring Cognitive Load
in Simulation-Based Training
Cognitive Load | Usability Heuristics | User Testing | UI/ UX Design | System Thinking | Simulation Training
- Individual Project
- 6 months
Research Question
The study aims to determine how much usability heuristics can reduce cognitive load for observers using LIFT Scenarios in medical simulation training.
Method
Following the Improving Improvement model, the research systematically addresses the behavioral and user interface factors that influence cognitive load throughout the application.
Each design phase employs various methods, including user tests, interviews, heuristic evaluations, and prototyping.
20 participants were involved in the research activities, excluding observations.
Results
Applying usability heuristics positively affected the prototypes’ rankings.
A significant portion of the cognitive load associated with LIFT Scenarios is intrinsic, stemming from task difficulty or the facilitator’s skills.
This research utilizes quick testing and evaluation methods that are both feasible and adaptable.
- Small UI inconsistencies have a significant impact on the effort required of the User.
- Any platform requires a learning period.
- Some tasks are inherently difficult, and changing the UI will not significantly reduce cognitive load.
- Make all content scannable; people do not read.
- Quantitative and Qualitative data go hand in hand.
This Master’s Thesis examines cognitive load and usability heuristics in simulation-based training, specifically through a case study of the medical training platform LIFT Scenarios, developed by Laerdal Global Health.
Project Overview
Research Question
The study aims to determine how much usability heuristics can reduce cognitive load for observers using LIFT Scenarios in medical simulation training.
REsults
- Applying usability heuristics positively affected the prototypes’ rankings.
- A significant portion of the cognitive load associated with LIFT Scenarios is intrinsic, stemming from task difficulty or the facilitator’s skills.
- This research utilizes quick testing and evaluation methods that are both feasible and adaptable.
MEthod
- Following the Improving Improvement model, the research systematically addresses the behavioral and user interface factors that influence cognitive load throughout the application.
- Each design phase employs various methods, including user tests, interviews, heuristic evaluations, and prototyping.
- 20 participants were involved in the research activities, excluding observations.
Take Aways
- Small UI inconsistencies have a significant impact on the effort required of the User.
- Any platform requires a learning period.
- Some tasks are inherently difficult, and changing the UI will not significantly reduce cognitive load.
- Make all content scannable; people do not read.
- Quantitative and Qualitative data go hand in hand.
My Thesis Team- TU Delft & Laerdal
Himanshu Verma
TU Delft Supervisor
Tilman Dingler
TU Delft Supervisor
OlE Terje Østrem
Laerdal Global Health- Product Manager
SAKINA
Laerdal Global Health- Lead UX Designer LIFT Scenarios
Camila Barrera Daza
Laerdal Global Health- Senior Visual Communication Designer
STEVE OSUMBA
Laerdal Global Health- Senior Product Designer, Tanzania
Initiation
Understanding the Context | Project Approach
1
Process
Defining the problem |
Elin Wahlqvist 