User Experience Bias For New Computer Students

A response to the Misunderstood Activity
created by Jonathan Cobb (@cobbjonathan)

Number of views: 103


Initial Concept:

“I teach Computer Business Applications and Computer Systems Technicians and a very simple and often overlooked reoccurring misconception is that students enter the program and are primarily familiar with the user side of the technology, where it is often seen operating smoothly (99% of the time). This limited perspective leads to a belief that all systems inherently run this way.

This preconceived notion that systems operate flawlessly most of the time often leads to issues with the students effectively troubleshooting and diagnosing technical issues when they do indeed arise.”

Analogy: The Smooth Sailing Cruise vs. Navigating Stormy Seas

Imagine you and your friends embark on an exciting cruise vacation. As you step on board, everything appears picture-perfect – the sky is clear, the sea is calm, and the ship glides effortlessly through the water. For days, you relish a luxurious journey free of any hiccups. This mirrors your typical experience as everyday technology users, where everything seems to run seamlessly.

However, one fateful day, a sudden storm looms on the horizon. The sea becomes tumultuous, and the ship starts swaying. Suddenly, you’re faced with problems like water leaks, power outages, and navigation difficulties. This mirrors the situations IT professionals encounter when technical issues arise in computer systems.

Relating to Your Experiences:

From a user’s standpoint, just like you initially enjoyed the smooth cruise as passengers, most of your interactions with technology are as users. In this realm, things generally work as expected – that’s the ‘99% of the time’ perspective.

The Reality of IT:

But, just as storms can disrupt a tranquil cruise, computer systems can encounter issues, even though they typically operate smoothly. This is the ‘1% of the time’ reality that we must recognize.

Breaking Down the Concept:

We’ll begin by acknowledging that most of your experiences with technology mirror the smooth cruise – where things work seamlessly, which is fantastic!

However, it’s essential to introduce the idea that, at times, storms can hit the cruise, just as technical problems can affect computer systems. It’s crucial to understand that this is a normal part of the IT world, and there’s no need to panic.

Moreover, when these issues arise, much like the ship’s crew navigating challenges during the storm, IT professionals employ troubleshooting skills to identify and resolve technical problems.

So, remember, while technology usually sails smoothly, the occasional storm teaches us the importance of troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in the world of computer systems

Example for "User Experience Bias For New Computer Students":
https://bank.ecampusontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Smooth-Cruise-vs-Stormy-Sea.png