IT_331_milestone_1.docx IT 331: Human Factors in Info Tech Milestone One Application

IT_331_milestone_1.docx    IT 331: Human Factors in Info Tech  Milestone One  Application Overview  For my first milestone, I have selected the SNHU student portal. I have decided to use this application because after viewing it at length, I noticed that there are a few improvements that would greatly improve the functionality and overall design aesthetics. A student portal is an important tool used by a large number of online students, so its ease and error-free use must be a priority when designing this student home page.Being a student myself,I have more than enough to stress over, without having to fight my way through confusing links with vague descriptions.When a student walks into a classroom, everything is, for the most part, straightforward and orderly. Online learning should be just as simple, with the only headache being the curriculum itself.  Analysis: Design and Ease of use  The first thing that I noticed about this page is that it did not really stick to the first golden  rule ofHCI design, consistency. Even though there are columns and lists, the random placing of   buttonsand menus tend to be a bit confusing. The overall color scheme of blue, gold and white  is functional and professional looking, but the placement could have been done more with  efficiency in mind. For instance, there is a large blank wasted area above the œMessages from  your advisor section that almost looks like it was an advertisement that failed to load. My first  thought was that this area should be deleted, b