Publication Abstracts
Brown et al. 2026
Brown, J.A., K.S. McNeal, , and J. Zhou, 2026: Eye tracking an online climate modeling tool to evaluate three dimensions of usability. Weather Clim. Soc., 18, no. 1, 47-60, doi:10.1175/WCAS-D-24-0134.1.
Science web tools provide educators with a method to teach their students complex issues like global climate change, because of their ability to use large datasets and illustrate abstract ideas. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that science tools are efficient and usable so that they can be meaningfully integrated into science curriculum. One of these tools, EzGCM, was created to teach students about the climate modeling process; however, the overall level of user efficiency, accuracy, and satisfaction has never been assessed for users of this website. Researchers created a new version of the EzGCM webtool based on existing user design frameworks that included intentional changes to layout, button placement, labels, and contrasts, meant to aid in user navigation and task completion. An A/B randomized study was performed to assess the overall level of usability for each version of the webtool with introductory level undergraduates, the intended user of the webtool, using a combination of quantitative eye tracking technology and complementary surveys and interviews. The findings in this study suggest that the redesigned version of EzGCM had greater usability than the original version, suggesting that the changes to the interface improved the way users interact with and perceive the tool. This study highlights the general importance of usability testing for new pedagogical tools following this three-dimensional approach and provides recommendations for other website designers regarding page layout and website element design.
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BibTeX Citation
@article{br05400t,
author={Brown, J. A. and McNeal, K. S. and Chandler, M. A. and Zhou, J.},
title={Eye tracking an online climate modeling tool to evaluate three dimensions of usability},
year={2026},
journal={Weather, Climate and Society},
volume={18},
number={1},
pages={47--60},
doi={10.1175/WCAS-D-24-0134.1},
}
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RIS Citation
TY - JOUR ID - br05400t AU - Brown, J. A. AU - McNeal, K. S. AU - Chandler, M. A. AU - Zhou, J. PY - 2026 TI - Eye tracking an online climate modeling tool to evaluate three dimensions of usability JA - Weather Clim. Soc. JO - Weather, Climate and Society VL - 18 IS - 1 SP - 47 EP - 60 DO - 10.1175/WCAS-D-24-0134.1 ER -
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