| Date | May 2021 | Marks available | 4 | Reference code | 21M.3.HL.TZ0.1 |
| Level | HL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | no time zone |
| Command term | Explain | Question number | 1 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The Light Phone, see Figure 1, is a small, low-functionality mobile phone that has been designed to tackle the increasing issue of smartphone addiction. Designed to be used “as little as possible” the original Light Phone has only one primary function; to make and receive calls.
The designers intended the Light Phone to be used in addition to, rather than replace, a smartphone as it does not have internet capabilities. This allows the user to leave their smartphone at home and “disconnect” while still having access to a communication device.
The designers of the Light Phone have deliberately designed it with limited functionality to prevent the habit of “phone fidgeting”, the act of constantly checking one’s smartphone without purpose. The designers believe that modern gadgets and applications are designed to gain and hold the user’s attention. The Light Phone is the size of a credit card which means it can be easily carried, see Figure 2.
[Figures 1 and 2: Provided with permission from The Light Phone.]
Outline one reason why multidisciplinary teams would have been important in developing the Light Phone.
List two benefits of enhanced usability.
Outline one disadvantage of using a usability laboratory to determine whether the Light Phone has led to a decrease in “phone fidgeting”.
The Light Phone concept is built on the idea that users need to “disconnect” from their smartphones at times.
Explain why designers might use personae and characteristics in their user research to define the problem.
Markscheme
The light phone is a complex system / is meant to curb phone fidgeting / is the size of a credit card;
which requires specialist skills / expertise from different fields/disciplines;
More creative problem-solving;
as team members brainstorm/exchange/build on each other's ideas;
Award [1] for identifying why multidisciplinary teams would have been important in developing this product and [1] for a brief explanation.
Improved product acceptance / increased sales /more competitive in the market;
Improved user experience / likeability;
Improved productivity;
Decreased user error;
Decreased training and support / lower memory burden / enhanced learnability;
Improved product user interface / intuitive;
Award [1] for listing each way that the Light Phone has led to enhanced usability.
A usability lab is a controlled environment / does not replicate a natural setting / test users are monitored;
subjects may be uncomfortable / may behave differently / may not interact with their phone;
Usability laboratories are expensive to operate;
which limits the data collected;
Award [1] for identifying one disadvantage of using a usability laboratory to determine whether the Light Phone has led to a decrease in “phone fidgeting” and [1] for a brief explanation.
Persona is a profile (a fictional character) of the (primary) target audience for a product;
focusing on users' characteristics (demographics/age/gender/habits/behaviors/ lifestyle);
to help in the understanding of users / tasks / needs / environments; and build real-life scenarios / use case;
to identify situations where phone fidgeting needs to be addressed / would be detrimental;
Award [1] for each of four distinct points in an explanation of why designers might use personae and characteristics in their user research to define the problem.
Examiners report
This question is asking 'why' multidisciplinary teams would have been important in developing the Light Phone. Most of the candidates properly referred to the need for different skills, expertise or perspectives. However, many failed to correctly outline the importance of why this is required in developing the Light Phone.
Most candidates listed at least one benefit of enhanced usability. Most popular responses included 'product acceptance' and 'decreased user error'. The markscheme also acknowledged responses related to improving the Light Phone user interface, such as 'lower memory burden' and 'learnability' which contributed to more candidates achieving a full mark in this question. The benefits of enhanced usability are included in Topic 7.2 on page 64 in the DT Guide.
Majority of candidates understood that a usability laboratory is a controlled environment. However, only well-prepared candidates were able to suitably connect being observed in the laboratory to a change in users' behaviour.
This question required candidates to 'explain why designers might use personae and characteristics in their user research to define the problem'. The majority of the candidates gained 1 or 2 marks since they knew what personae were, and how they helped in understanding users. Nevertheless, there were fewer candidates who scored 3 or 4 marks by relating why their use in user research might have defined the problem of phone fidgeting.
