Usability of the user interface design of a courseware management system
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Date
2006-11
Authors
Ranjit Singh, Termit Kaur
Journal Title
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Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the usability of a site called the
e-Lesson Creator (eLC). E-Lesson Creator is a web-based course management
system developed by a group of researchers from the School of Educational Studies,
Universiti Sains Malaysia led by Abdul Rashid Mohamed. The main objectives of the
development of the eLC was to create customized lessons to suit the learning needs of
learners with different levels of abilities and to make it readily available and easily
accessible to teachers at different geographical locations. In practice, the e-Lesson
Creator is a platform from which teachers choose and pick the material needed from a
multimedia library using a lesson template wizard that has been specifically created for
that purpose. The evaluation focused on usability testing of its interface design. This
usability testing employed the Heuristics Evaluation method (1993), which involved
examining thee-lesson Creator's User Interface Design in the areas of: Screen Design;
Navigational patterns; Ease of Access; Ease of Use of Site and; Flexibility of use. The
study needed and used both quantitative and qualitative data. However, in terms of
approach, it was inclined more towards a qualitative approach. This study utilised a
case study approach employing purposive sampling. A total of 24 subjects from USM
Masters' Programme (Teaching of English as a Second Language), who were either
teaching at the primary level or have had experience teaching at that level made up the
sample.
Generally the evaluation was successful and pointed to positive and
encouraging acceptance by the subjects. The text on the screen was clear and there
were no complaints about effect on the color used on their eyes. However, the
arrangement and structure of the information was rather overloaded. Overall, the
directions given to follow up screens were good. The site had useful hyperlinks to other
sites but suggestions were made that more should be added. The information was
clearly organized and easily accessed but the retrieval process was rather slow. There
was flexibility of use of the site, especially with downloading of the materials. The help
file was useful but more help should be given. However, help file and redo and undo
functions of the site should be improved. There was no consistency in the organization
of the information as well as in instructional language used though this did not impede
understanding. Although the evaluation suggested that the eLC was positively
received, the findings showed that much can be done to improve it. Though this study
focused specifically on the interface design, nevertheless other weaknesses were
detected which needs to be addressed. For example, some of the files used in the
activities were not working as they were intended to. These need to be checked and
rectified so as to safeguard the quality of the site.
In addition, though the quality of the English language of the content is found to
be acceptable, it would be advantageous to have professional editing works so that it
can enhance the overall quality of e-lesson Creator.
Description
Keywords
User interface design , Courseware management system by