Sep 6 - Yeap, Relevance of the Research to develop a set of Usability Inspection Criteria for e-Learning Portals (part 3 of UIC for eLearn)

Relevance of the Research
to develop a set of
Usability Inspection Criteria for e-Learning Portals

Analysis and developing a set of usability inspection criteria for elearning portal is important because:
a) Existing heuristic evaluation is used generally for any type of user interface. It would be better to have a modified set of criteria specifically for elearning portals.
b) Usability inspection enables usability problems to be detected and rectified.
c) E-Learning portal of high usability will enable learners to find it easy to use and navigate.
d) E-Learning portal of high usability will enhance more effective learning.
e) Excellence in usability would contribute indirectly toward the success of an e-learning portal; hence indirectly increase the commercial value and profitability of the e-learning portal.
f) There is a need to develop a set of usability inspection criteria suitable for the usability inspection of e-learning portals.

Capra (2006) had in the course of her research, developed guidelines for usability problem descriptions (UPD). UPD guidelines were somewhat similar to the usability inspection criteria which is the intent of my research.

Ryu (2005) had researched to develop usability questionnaire for electronic mobile products. He had reviewed and studied on usability criteria which were suitable for electronic mobile products, such as mobile phones and PDAs.

Sommerwell (2004) researched on creation and testing of a new set of heuristics which are tailored to the large screen information exhibit (LSIE) system. In other words, he developed a set of usability inspection criteria for LSIE system.

Federoff (2002) had discussed and studied the use of Nielsen’s Ten Heuristics and her suggested games usability criteria to evaluate usability of video games. She eventually produced a list of usability criteria suitable for evaluation of games.

Wiberg (2003) explored the potential of traditional usability evaluation approaches to deal with issues related to user experience. Her research was on evaluation of usability and fun (as related to entertainment).

McDermand (2006) researched on the usability and content analysis of television websites.

Cooper (2006) had a research to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, satisfaction, credibility, and therefore, the overall usability of the CottonLink media resource Web site.

Axtell (2006) studied on the usability of the USDA-ARS Ogallala Initiative Web site to determine the external user preferences.

Tauro (2008) did a research whereby one study was to evaluate the usability of Vizblog.

Cox (1998) researched on results synthesis of heuristic evaluation. He studied on process of synthesis of heuristic evaluation results which were basically usability problems identified.

Woolrich (2001) studied on the scope and accuracy of usability inspection method of heuristic evaluation.

Hence, it is concluded that Usability is a popular and important area of research.

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source:
Usability Inspection Criteria for e-Learning Portals.
TeckChong Yeap.
MDP7515 PROJECT
Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of
Master of Multimedia (E-Learning Technologies)
MULTIMEDIA UNIVERSITY
MALAYSIA
October 2008