Is usability important
Will all users find the interface design and navigation easy to use? Shall the interface include instructions?
Nicole,
We all like to jump right into whatever it is we are working on.....from classes to putting a bicycle together!!!
Shelly Crider
Usability is very important in any situation where users need to interact with information. eLearning is not different. I don't feel that all students will find the design of the interface or the navigation as intuitive as others may find it to be but there are things that online instructional designers can do that will improve the likelihood that a majority of users with understand how to get around and access the information they are looking for. For example, the use of certain icons may not be universally understood but most people understand what a house icon means.
Providing tutorials, walk-throughs, and/or help menus are definitely important but I think if the proper consideration was given to the design of the interface, instructions may not be needed. Users need to be able to get started right away with little or no trouble.
I think so. It is also important to provide a tutorial about the resources available in a particular course, as well as where to find those resources. In courses I teach, I provide a brief tutorial on the classroom and resources.
I feel that maybe adding a video lecture at the beginning of a student's first class might help the students get more comfortable with online learning. The video would probably consist of how to navigate through the course content, how to participate in discussion topics, a short introduction to the material being covered and grading.
Jessica,
There are many different websites out there that will allow you to create interesting and challenging assessments.
Shelly Crider
There are some different quizzes you can have students take to determine how well prepared or suited they are to online learning.
The one that I like to use is called SmarterMeasure.
http://www.smartermeasure.com/
Barbara,
Maybe not a separate class, but maybe a training course so the student can feel more comfortable.
Shelly Crider
How is usabiliy measured? What may be clear for one student may not be clear for another. Is it recommended that a separate class be given to first time users of online courses?
Lisa,
you will definitely want some training material for your first term students.
Shelly Crider
