Integration of usability factors into evaluation of student learning outcomes in online learning environments

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2013-05-03

Department

Towson University. Department of Educational Technology and Literacy

Program

Citation of Original Publication

Rights

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There are no restrictions on access to this document. An internet release form signed by the author to display this document online is on file with Towson University Special Collections and Archives.

Abstract

Many institutions in higher education are offering at least some of their curriculum online and use a course management system (CMS) to support these online learning environments. Usability evaluation tools are often used to measure the quality of a user's experience when interacting with a web site. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between usability factors and learning outcomes in an online learning environment as well as to investigate differences in learning outcomes and system usability between several selected student groups (selected groups were: gender, age, student standing, student computer competency scores). Subject of evaluation were eight sections of an introductory computer science course taught in hybrid format using a CMS. A survey instrument, integrating usability research into evaluation of student learning outcomes in online learning environments, was developed. Results of the study have direct implications on the design and development of online instruction.