ISSUE OF USING STUDENTS AS TEST USERS – SOME FINDINGS IN VE TESTING

In designing prototypes in virtual environments (VE) it is common practise to use students as test users. This paper outlines if this approach gives relevant information. The issue is analysed through three alternative test cases by comparing student’s and other test user’s behaviour. The first case compares user’s evaluation of the sizes of physical and virtual products. The second case studies user’s locomotion in VE. The third case focuses on operating a virtual mobile work machine. This paper outlines the issues and possibilities on using students as test users.