IA in UX - speak in metaphors

Information Architecture as a body of research tends to lean heavily on principles of UX/UI. A massive research field unto itself, UX/UI focus is on creating a usable and intuitive experience for users of technology. But what does this even mean? In short, it is a philosophy whereby the user of technology can achieve their goals by using technology, but without feeling like they are actually using technology, or that it feels less of a hindrance and more of joy. A lot of this philosophy is built on the idea of metaphors encompassing technical outputs, for example, a window. Literally, a window is something in which we look through to see the outside world. However, the metaphor of a window in terms of UX/UI encompasses an entirely different meaning. The metaphor applied to computing allows the end user see something on a computer screen that is viewable within a 4 sided object, also known as a window. A window metaphor now has new meaning in the technical sense.

What does this have to do with Information Architecture?

When we explore the metaphor of Information Architecture, we begin to look at how information is structured. So let's think about how this is done on our computer. We have files (a metaphor (because the files are not really files (they are a digital print))). These files sit in a folder (which isn't really a folder either), which can sit inside another folder (again, not literally a folder but rather a digital print), which can potentially be zipped up (spot the metaphor?). What we are seeing here is a linear file and folder metaphor used to describe how we store and retrieve our information. Makes sense right? This is pretty easy to follow because it is linear. To get to file X, I open folder A, then folder B, and so on and so on. However, when we move to non-linear structures, such as the Internet, then concepts like Information Architecture become paramount for our end users.

The Internet aka the web is a web of linked artifacts. In no way, shape or form is it linear. Unlike linear file folder structures, where to access file X I need to follow a path of folder structures, the number of paths I can take to reach file Y on the web is potentially unlimited, hence the web is a good metaphor. Paired with the idea of search engines (Google) providing me with a dynamic link to the information I search, then there is no logical folder structure. What happens if I need to go back? Or even worse, what happens when I, my whole life, have been using Google to find information I need but said information sits within a locked environment such as your Learning Managment System? To add to this I don't know the actual folder directory structure and I only have 2 weeks to learn before my first assessment is due?

Cue in Information Architecture with the Learner Experience

I commonly hear the phrase

They just can't find the articles. I know I put it in assessments, and I've told them it's there...

Naturally, I take a look at the assessments section on said subject. Within assessments is a complex, but linear folder and file directory that is impossible to navigate. I don't know how the directory has been set up, and there is no search feature in LMS to help me just find the document. I can't find the assessment task sheet after looking for 5 minutes. Here is what goes through my mind as an end user of this situation:

Minute 1:

1. It's in assessments

2. There are 3 folders in assessments, it has to be in one of those

3. There are 4 folders in the first folder in assessments, I'll go check there

Minute 2:

1. Wow. There are about 32 different folders in assessments

2. Why is there a 2016 folder with a 2015 Turnitin dropbox?

3. What am I looking for again?

Minute 3:

1. I'm going to text Mike. Mike knows where to find the assessment task sheet

2. No reply from Mike.

Minute 4:

1. This is horrible. I can't find the assessment task sheet, I don't know what the assessment is.

2. Bad SFS brewing in my mind

Minute 5:

1. I AM GOING TO EMAIL THE SUBJECT COORDINATOR.

See how bad AI lead to a bad learner experience? The technology is getting in the way, instead of facilitating access to information and learning. Does this sound familiar? Planning information architecture in your subject is the most underestimated aspect of online learning. Cleaning up the assessments folder would probably help the IA and help the learner have a better experience in finding required information. I know right, it's a no-brainer, but I have seen a lot of subjects with previous session content, Turnitin submission boxes, multiple levels of folder structures etc. You see it everywhere.