Evaluating the Usability of e-Learning Systems

Two papers in The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning discuss the usability of e-Learning Systems. Junus,  Santoso, Isal and Utomo (2015) look at the use of Moodle for teaching computer science students at Universitas Indonesia (Fasilkom UI). Orfanou, Tselios and Katsanos (2015) look at Moodle and the less well known "Open eClass" (based on the open source software Claroline) in Greece.

The former examined the Student Centered e-Learning Environment (SCeLE), a repository of learning materials implemented in Moodle by Universitas Indonesia. Students were surveyed on their experience. The results were positive. The first recommendation for improvement is deceptively simple: upgrade to the latest version of Moodle. Many institutions keep old versions of software even after newer, improved versions are available. New features in Moodle, such as better mobile compatibility and finer grain feedback for students, are well worth the cost of an upgrade.

The latter found the System Usability Scale (SUS), a questionnaire based survey, effective for evaluating usability of learning management software. The use of a standardized, simplified survey, was found to be effective, even when using a small number of students.

References

Junus, I., Santoso, H., Isal, R., & Utomo, A. (2015). Usability Evaluation of the Student Centered e-Learning Environment. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 16(4). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/2175/3455
 

Orfanou, K., Tselios, N., & Katsanos, C. (2015). Perceived usability evaluation of learning management systems: Empirical evaluation of the System Usability Scale. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 16(2). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1955/3262