Weird Science: Using Psychology and Human Factors to Enhance the Student Digital Journey
Monday, Oct 14 2:45 - 3:30
Presented by Holly Hill and Tracy Litzinger and Ray Van Allen and Mike Horn and Christina KetnerWhat happens when a psychologist, a student, a design firm and a web team get together? Sounds like a joke, but weird science happens by applying basic psychology and human factors principles to your digital strategies.
Human factors principles tell us that environments, products, and services, including websites, are created (or should be) to help people navigate content with ease (aka usability). Before designing a website, you have to understand your users’ requirements and abilities. However, sadly, web developers and digital strategists are not generally representations of all popular user groups- prospective students and families, current students, guidance counselors, donors, alumni, etc… The student experience is unique, and no one does a better job at taking on that persona than a student does. Enter tons of research, user journey maps, and tools to help the digital user experience!
During this panel presentation, you will hear from students, human factors and digital professionals and gain applicable tactics to bring back to your digital team.
About
Holly Hill
Director of Web and New Media ServicesHolly Hill has been working in higher education for the last 15 years in areas of digital strategy, event management, admissions, and as a faculty member at Flagler College. As Director of Web and New Media Services, Hill serves as editor and chief of official digital channels including flagler.edu and official social media channels. As the director, she provides oversight and implementation of the Flagler College brand on all websites and digital platforms to raise the college’s visibility and enhance its reputation among key constituents including prospective students and parents, students, donors, employees, industry partners, and community stakeholders.
Tracy Litzinger
Assistant Professor of PsychologyDr. Litzinger is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Flagler College. She received her Ph.D. in Human Factors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in 2017. Dr. Litzinger’s doctoral research attempted to better understand process inefficiencies in a Level II trauma center, which involved identifying and classifying flow disruptions threatening the optimal delivery of trauma care. Her current research focuses on the application of human factors principles and aviation strategies in healthcare including teamwork, communication, training, organizational culture, and usability of devices and systems, in particular, helping to create accessible web content for visually and hearing impaired internet users. She has published in peer-reviewed academic journals such as the Journal of Trauma Nursing, Journal of Patient Safety, and Journal for Healthcare Quality and has presented at national industry conferences including the International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics
Ray Van Allen
Psychology StudentRay Van Allen is a fourth year honors student at Flagler College studying psychology. As part of Van Allen's capstone project, she is researching web accessibility and its impact on the overall user experience. She is a member of the international psychology honors society, Psi Chi, and the national college honor society, Alpha Chi. When she’s not busy being a student, she interns with Flagler’s Office of Web and New Media Services and trains horses. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in human factors.
Mike Horn
Web Development ManagerMike Horn has been a web professional for more than 15 years and is the Web Development Manager at Flagler College. Horn was the technical liaison and was tasked with finding and resolving any web accessibility compliance issues before the launch of the College's newly redesigned website.
Christina Ketner
Psychology StudentChristina Ketner is a junior majoring in psychology at Flagler College. Ketner is president of Psi Chi, international psychology honor society and in her spare time gives historical tours of the College for Flagler's Legacy. Ketner hopes to pursue a career and master's degree in industrial psychology after graduating from Flagler.