← Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

User need

Something a user must be able to do or have to finish a task or fix their problem. A need is not just a want. We write it as: The user needs to...

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Creating Digital Solutions — Module 2, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Defining and decomposing problems — Module 2, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Defining and decomposing problems — Module 3, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — User Experiences and Interfaces — Module 24

Understanding User need in Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

What it does: Seeing the bus times is needed to catch the bus. A cartoon background is only a want. Each user has their own task or problem, so each one needs something different. We write a need as 'The user needs to...' and it says what the user must be able to do. Her task is checking the due date, so she must be able to see it. A game does not help her finish the task. A want is nice to have. A need is required to complete the task or fix the problem. Different users have different needs. Large buttons help him finish the call. Stickers would be a want.

Common mistakes: A pink theme is only a want. It does not fix Sam's problem. The need should be: The user needs to hear text. Sending invites is a need because it is required for the task. Needs are written as: The user needs to send invites.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 1–10) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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Learning
Duo
Which one is a user need?
The user needs to see the bus times.The user wants a rainbow background.
Matches
The user needs to have a rainbow button with sparkles.
↓
This is a want, not a need. The user can finish the task without sparkles.
Applying
Meanings
Term
user need
Meaning
Something a user must be able to do or have to finish a task or fix their problem. A need is not just a want. We write it as: The user needs to...
Practice
The user needs to see the bus times.
Testing
Gaps
The user to see when the bus leaves.
Check Answer
Spots
3Problem: cannot see the screen
4The user wants a pink theme

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Quick Questions

1. Which one is a user need?
A. The user wants a rainbow background.
B. The user needs to see the bus times. ✓
A need is something the user must be able to do or have to finish a task. A rainbow background is just a want.
2. Which sentence is written the correct way for a user need?
A. The user needs to save their homework. ✓
B. Make the app blue and shiny.
We write a need as 'The user needs to...' and it says what the user must be able to do.
3. Mia wants to check if her library book is overdue. What is her need?
A. The user needs to see the due date of her book. ✓
B. The user needs to play a game while she waits.
Her task is checking the due date, so she must be able to see it. A game does not help her finish the task.
4. True or false: A need and a want mean exactly the same thing.
A. True. Both are just things the user likes.
B. False. A need is something the user must have to finish a task. ✓
A want is nice to have. A need is required to complete the task or fix the problem.
5. A grandfather is using a video call app. Which is more likely to be his need?
A. The user needs to read large, clear buttons. ✓
B. The user needs to unlock ten new sticker packs.
Different users have different needs. Large buttons help him finish the call. Stickers would be a want.

Match the Pairs

The user needs to... → The sentence starter we use to write a user need clearly
need → Something a user must be able to do or have to finish a task or fix their problem
A need is something the user must have, but a want is only nice to have → Need: The user needs to see the bus times. Want: A cool cartoon background.
Different users have different needs → Ben needs to read big text. Mia needs to hear the words read aloud.
The user needs to have a rainbow button with sparkles. → This is a want, not a need. The user can finish the task without sparkles.
All users have the same needs, so one design suits everyone. → Different users have different needs, so we must think about each known user.

Key Term

user need
Something a user must be able to do or have to finish a task or fix their problem. A need is not just a want. We write it as: The user needs to...

Fill in the Blanks

1. The user needs to see when the bus leaves.
Hint: Type the verb we use after 'The user' to write a need.
2. A need is not just a want.
Hint: Type the word for something nice to have that is not really necessary.
3. The user needs to save her work.
Hint: Type the short word that comes after 'needs' and before the action.
4. Different users have different needs.
Hint: Type the word for the people who use a system.
5. A need lets a user finish a task.
Hint: Type the word for the job the user is trying to complete.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A User: Sam, who is blind
B Task: read a school website
C Problem: cannot see the screen
D The user wants a pink theme
Line D — A pink theme is only a want. It does not fix Sam's problem. The need should be: The user needs to hear text.
Question 2
A User: Mum, plans a party
B Task: invite 10 friends
C The user wants to send invites
D Want: glitter on the invites
Line C — Sending invites is a need because it is required for the task. Needs are written as: The user needs to send invites.
Question 3
A User A: a young child
B User B: a grandparent
C All users have the same needs
D So ask each user first
Line C — Different users often have different needs. That is why we ask each user. It should say: Users can have different needs.
Question 4
A Task: find the bus times
B The user needs a game to play
C Want: a game while waiting
D Ask the user to check
Line B — A game is a want. It does not help the user find the bus times. The need should be: The user needs to see times.
Question 5
A User: Ali, doing homework
B Want: a way to type answers
C Want: a fancy purple font
D Ask Ali to check the list
Line B — Ali must be able to type his answers to finish his homework. That is a need, so the label should be Need, not Want.

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