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Earlier this year, GPO conducted a user survey to gain feedback from the users of Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids. The objective was to document a data-influenced understanding of user satisfaction and also to use the results as the basis for future enhancements and design changes.
Highlights of Summary Findings
- 2,170 responses were received from kids and students.
- 1640 from parents, educators, and other use.
- Younger students expressed a desire for new interactive games and quizzes. They also expressed an interest in updated graphics and multimedia.
- Older students were also interested in interactive activities but also expressed a desire to keep the written content they need for use as a study guide.
- Adult users requested features such as printable lesson plans, worksheets, quizzes and Ben's Guide pamphlets. The current grade range navigation was an important feature for educators and parents.
- Many respondents in all categories expressed a desire for an expansion of written content and an updated interface.
- Respondents expressed an interest in having an additional section on Ben's Guide geared toward adult users who would like to refresh their knowledge of the U.S. Government.
GPO is currently prioritizing work to improve our operational processes in response to Council recommendations. Once those process improvements have been implemented, GPO will redirect resources toward efforts to refresh and update Ben’s Guide.
Narrative Summary Results
Survey results received from kids, parents, educators, and other users expressed overall satisfaction with Ben’s Guide as an educational Web site. High level suggestions included the desire for interactive and aesthetic enhancements while maintaining an easily navigable site with useful, accurate content.
Approximately 2,170 survey responses were received from kids and students, and 1,640 from parents, educators, and other users. Students expressed a desire for more features that test their knowledge and abilities in the form of new games, interactive quizzes, and questions. Next on the list were interactive-related enhancements such as the inclusion of videos, audio, graphics, and pictures. Ultimately, elementary school students wanted fun activities, while older students wanted to obtain the information they need at their higher comprehension level. Older students also were more interested in interactive communication and sharing their views. Adult users requested features such as printable lesson plans, worksheets, quizzes, and Ben’s Guide pamphlets or hand-outs, with videos and Web-based quizzes being a popular option as well.
Both kids and adults offered specific suggestions for current features that should be changed or enhanced. Most requests consisted of updating links, adding new content, or changes in site navigation. The majority of comments asked for expansions on current information and tools, such as additional Ben’s Guide information sections, and an enhanced, updated interface with technological aesthetics, and modified navigational options.
Results indicated that keeping the current grade range organization is very important to educators and parents. Those who chose to elaborate strongly requested that this remain the same. Some users suggested a revised organization, such as dividing groups by broad reading comprehension levels. Nearly all who showed interest in the change advocated a careful approach if significant reorganization was to occur. Several responses expressed a desire for an additional section or area on Ben’s Guide geared to adult users who would like to refresh their knowledge of the U.S. Government.
In summary, the ideal scenario for Ben’s Guide users would be maintaining an easily navigable site with clear and accurate content, while adding some of the new, aesthetically desirable qualities of the evolved Web. This will include new, fun, and effective features to benefit all user groups who visit Ben’s Guide.
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