Post on 24-Apr-2015
description
Critical usability-evaluation of mobile device applications form-learning purposes
Romana FeichtingerMichael TesarBenedikt SalzbrunnRobert Pucher
Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 2
Contents
Introduction– Motivation, working hypothesis, goals and objectives
Centerpiece– Background, research design and data
Conclusion– Accomplishments, future directions
Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 3
Motivation
A lot of research about mobile learning has been done lately
Innovative mobile devices are nowadays often presented as part of the solution to all learning issues
Due to mobile applications learning can take place almost everywhere
Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 4
Working hypothesis
Usability tests of different m-learning software applications on the Apple iPhone– Apple iTunes U– Moodle MLE– 24/7 Spanish Tutor
Comparing technically advanced users with “rookies”
Comparing users of “high-tech” touch screen mobile phones with users of basic mobile phones
Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 5
Goals and objectives
What kind of usability issues do m-learning solutions have to deal with?
Can the tested m-learning applications improve learning quality and flexibility?
Do participants with different technical affinities deal with the same problems while using m-learning solutions?
Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 6
Background
Apple iTunes U– Standard iTunes application with e-learning content– Designed by Apple to be used on PC/Mac and iPhone/iPod
Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 7
Background
Moodle MLE (“mobile learning engine”)– Open-Source plugin for existing moodle sites– Compatible with all mobile phones, access via browser
Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 8
Background
24/7 Spanish Tutor– Free iPhone app(lication)– Only available for iPhone/iPod
Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 9
Research design and data
„classical“ usability test– Adequate participants have to fulfil predefined tasks– iPhone screen, audio and participant recording– Questionnaires at the beginning (classification) and the end
of the test to acquire statistical information
Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 10
Research design and data
Additional eye-tracking– via head-mounted eye-tracking system– to record and evaluate the participants’ scanpath
www.smivision.com/en/eye-gaze-tracking-systems/products/iview-x-hed.html
Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 11
Accomplishments
M-learning solutions have to deal at least with the same usability issues as e-learning applications as for example– Navigation, wording, menu structure
Additionally m-learning applications need special attention regarding– Display resolution, readability, touch-screen handling
The easier m-learning solutions are to work with the more they get accepted by the user and can even be fun to use
Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 12
Accomplishments
Participants with different technical affinities in general deal with the same problems
At the end of the test all of the participants got used to the handling of the iPhone, advanced iPhone users finished the test a lot more quickly
The three tested m-learning solutions only partly convinced the participants in case of improving learning quality and flexibility
Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 13
Future directions
Design of various user-friendly m-learning interfaces regarding the usability-test output
Implementation of a test course based on moodle MLE
Thank you for your attention
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