But how do you ensure an error-free learning resource that delivers a consistent and reliable user experience across the plethora of devices and operating systems?

Simple, test it!

Testing has always been synonymous to quality. However, multi-device testing, with its own set of considerations, issues and challenges, can make it a complex and time- and resource-intensive task. Knowing how to address the challenges, resolve issues, weigh up considerations, along with the knowledge of testing approaches and tool selection can go a long way in making your multi-device eLearning testing a success!

Our latest, free eBook ‘Multi-device Testing 101‘, shares our knowledge gained through 10+ years of testing a wide variety of project types and technologies from Flash-based eLearning to courses created with Rapid Authoring Tools to HTML-based projects. The eBook holds the key to ensuring that your learning resource’s visual and functional behaviour, as well as its performance, remains consistent for all users irrespective of the device/OS/browser combination.

Key Topics Covered:

1. The Multi-device world
2. The need for multi-device testing
3. Quirks of Multi-device testing
4. User experience testing

The eBook has been co-authored by two of Upside Learning’s experienced testing and eLearning experts – Anushka Khairajani, Associate Manager – Quality, and Geera Bellare, AVP Learning.

For a free copy of the eBook-‘Multi-device Testing 101‘, click here.

Spread the love by sharing the eBook on your social channels!

The post Your Crack Code for Best Quality eLearning: ‘Multi-device Testing 101’ first appeared on The Upside Learning Blog.

Our take from the event is ‘Everyone Loves Responsive’. Most of the conversations that we had were centered around the Multi Device Universe and how to best cater to the ever changing needs of the end users who want to access the learning & training whenever they want, and on whichever device they want. More and more organisations are now looking forward to meet this demand and now have to either convert their existing content and platform to a responsive one or create a responsive learning approach from scratch.

Upside Learning has been in the forefront of the Responsive learning era. We have been helping clients with their requisites of being as responsive as the needs of their end users, and we have the right tools and services to help anyone and everyone who now wants to take the responsive path.

With UpsideLMS, winner of 17 awards and recognitions, equipped with 160+ features, accessible from your favourite device, FRED, our own Framework for Responsive eLearning Development, a Silver award winner for Best Advance in Unique Learning Technology at Brandon Hall Awards, and our Multi Device Testing Lab, that helps to deliver high-quality learning projects that run consistently across devices and operating systems, Upside is ready to meet the high expectation of your’s and your learners, and also to ensure that your organisation only delivers the best learning experience through the best tools and services.

The post LT15 Event Experience – ‘Everyone Loves Responsive’ first appeared on The Upside Learning Blog.

But the sheer number of device-OS-browser combinations and the set of test parameters which need to be checked for EACH combination make the testing process complex, to say the least.

Based on our experience in designing, developing, and testing different types of eLearning – including Flash-based projects, courses created using Rapid Authoring Tools, and HTML-based projects for multi-device learning – I have listed five key considerations that can help you in testing your multi-device/ responsive projects.

1. 1. Define the Testing Target Environment and Approach

For a precise, limited specification, i.e. a very specific and narrow target range, defining a testing environment would be relatively easy. It might look as simple as this –

However, for a wider target range, an optimization approach would be helpful. This involves analyzing popularity, usage, and sales statistics for devices, browsers, and OSs to narrow down to a comprehensive, representative set.

1. 1. Create a Testing Matrix

Once an optimal set of devices, OSs, and browsers are identified, manually work out all the permutations and combinations to create a testing matrix. The lowest specifications will form the parameters for minimum edge testing.

Tip: Your test cases will need to be refined and extended to make sure that different devices are covered. For example, for the scenario page shown below, the test case for desktops would define clicking the next/back arrow buttons as well as the numbered buttons for moving from one to scene to the other. For the same scenario page on a tablet, the test case may additionally define horizontal swiping to move between scenes. Finally, for smartphones, the scenario presentation has changed to a non-interactive, more-text-based view that is better suited to smaller displays. The test case therefore needs to define only vertical swiping to scroll through the scenes.

1. 1. Check the Availability of Physical Devices

The next point of consideration would be the availability of actual devices. Check if all the devices listed in the testing matrix are ‘physically’ available, and if required, evaluate if you can use tools/simulators to cover the missing ones.

Tip: Use actual devices and set ups for testing, as far as possible, for more accurate results, rather than relying on tools and simulators.

1. 1. Test, Test, and Re-Test

As far as the testing process goes, it may be more efficient to first test on one desktop, one tablet in portrait view, and the smallest smartphone in portrait view. This will allow you to validate content for all breakpoints as a first major stage of testing. It is advisable to perform this testing 100% manually on the initial three representative devices, one device at a time.

Tip 1: Wait till the initial issues are fixed and re-verified before expanding to test on other combinations.

Tip 2: When testing the other combinations, it can be more effective to go device-type-wise – for example, first test on all tablets, covering all applicable browsers and OSs in succession on each tablet; then move on to smartphones.

1. Issue Logging

Log the issues in an efficient manner, so as to make grouping easier and reduce duplication.

Tip: Make smart use of keywords while logging issues (e.g.device/brand/OS/version/browser), either as a separate field or within the issue description.

As technology keeps evolving at breakneck speed, particularly with regards to mobiles and tablets, eLearning developers and testers like us will keep encountering new challenges and will need to find innovative solutions. I hope these key considerations come in handy and help you to make your testing process more effective.

The post 5 Key Considerations for Multi-Device Testing first appeared on The Upside Learning Blog.

Testing on both the simulator/emulator as well as the real ‘physical’ devices is necessary to maintain strong standards and quality assurance. But do you really need to test on physical devices? Can’t emulators and simulators alone suffice?

Emulators and simulators do help, but…

• They don’t give you the actual learner experience. There are certain aspects that you just cannot test by simply changing your browser size or using emulators and simulators.
• Since physical devices are not being used there can be inaccuracies and performance mismatches based on the configuration and resolution of the machine running the simulator.
• Checking real-time physical device aspects like battery life and charging, and actual bandwidth speed may also not be possible.
• Nor can you check content or functionality dependent on device features like camera, location, and accelerometer, or simulate interrupts.
• Also, eLearning includes a lot of custom interactivities. On multiple devices, this brings in gestural navigation, which requires the actual tactile experience to be evaluated on the device.

Testing on real ‘physical’ devices allows you to see and experience your learning resource exactly as your users will, resulting in true test integrity.

With over 10 years of experience in designing, developing, and testing different types of eLearning, covering Flash-based projects, courses created using Rapid Authoring Tools, and HTML-based projects for multi-device learning, we understand the importance of ‘physical’ testing well. We have made robust investments in our Multi-device Testing Lab infrastructure that allows us to test multi-device learning resources across a wide variety of ‘physical’ devices.

Our Multi-device Testing Lab

Our Multi-device Testing Lab is fully equipped with 20+ ‘physical’ devices (excluding desktops and laptops) running different operating systems and browsers. Windows PCs, Macs and laptops help us in testing for larger displays, while tablets and smart phones, running iOS, Android and Windows, cover the smaller ones.

Below is a list of devices included in our Multi-device Testing Lab:

Our multi-device testing lab is backed by our experience and expertise, and a disciplined quality assurance process, which gives our clients the confidence that their users will enjoy an engaging and consistent learning experience on every device they might use.

Get in touch with us to know how we can help you in testing your multi-device/ responsive eLearning.

The post The Proof Of The Pudding Is In Multi-device ‘Physical’ Testing first appeared on The Upside Learning Blog.

Enter Multi-device Testing.

So you could be looking at a variety of shapes and sizes, from desktop PCs and Macs to mobile computing options like laptops, tablets, phablets, and smartphones. And if there is a BYOD policy in place, that just adds to the variety of devices on which your eLearning needs to be supported! Along with devices, you also have to think of the different browsers through which learners will access the course…as well as the operating systems, manufacturers and models, and connectivity modes. Think that’s complex? Wait. There’s more. Remember that your course will need to be checked for functionality, usability, learning standards compliance, and performance for EACH combination. On simulators and emulators. And on physical devices. Phew!

We had earlier written a blog post – Testing Of Multi-Device eLearning Projects, which listed some key areas that need special focus when testing your multi-device projects. Going a step forward, to help you conduct reliable multi-device testing that delivers high quality eLearning projects, we have arranged a webinar Multi-device Testing – Challenges, Considerations and Solutions on October 16th at 10 AM IST (Register Now) and 3 PM BST (Register Now). To be presented by our in-house experts – Geera Bellare, AVP (Learning Design) and Anushka Khairajani, Associate Manager (Quality), the webinar draws on our 10+ years of experience in designing, developing and testing eLearning courseware.

Here’s what the 60 minute webinar will cover:

1. Understanding Multi-Device Testing
2. Challenges and considerations of Multi-Device Testing
3. Possible solutions, with their benefits and drawbacks
4. How our Multi-Device Testing Lab can help

So register now and join us to understand the ins and outs of conducting reliable multi-device testing.

October 16 | 10 AM IST (Check in your timezone) (Register Now)

October 16 | 3 PM BST (Check in your timezone) (Register Now)

The post Multi-device Testing: Challenges, Considerations and Solutions – Webinar first appeared on The Upside Learning Blog.