ERIC Number: EJ1070040
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1436-4522
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Make E-Learning Effortless! Impact of a Redesigned User Interface on Usability through the Application of an Affordance Design Approach
Park, Hyungjoo; Song, Hae-Deok
Educational Technology & Society, v18 n3 p185-196 2015
Given that a user interface interacts with users, a critical factor to be considered in improving the usability of an e-learning user interface is user-friendliness. Affordances enable users to more easily approach and engage in learning tasks because they strengthen positive, activating emotions. However, most studies on affordances limit themselves to an examination of the affordance attributes of e-learning tools rather than determining how to increase such attributes. A design approach is needed to improve affordances for e-learning user interfaces. Using Maier and Fadel's Affordance-Based Design methodology as a framework, the researchers in this study identified affordance factors, suggested affordance design strategies for the user interface, and redesigned an affordable user interface prototype. The identified affordance factors and strategies were reviewed and validated in Delphi meetings whose members were teachers, e-learning specialists, and educational researchers. The effects of the redesigned user interface on usability were evaluated by fifth-grade participating in the experimental study. The results show that affordances led users to experience positive emotions, and as a result, use the interface effectively, efficiently, and satisfactorily. Implications were discussed for designing strategies to enhance the affordances of the user interfaces of e-learning and other learning technology tools.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Electronic Learning, Usability, Computer Interfaces, Instructional Design, Delphi Technique, Elementary School Students, Grade 5, Educational Experiments
International Forum of Educational Technology & Society. Athabasca University, School of Computing & Information Systems, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada. Tel: 780-675-6812; Fax: 780-675-6973; Web site: http://www.ifets.info
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 5; Intermediate Grades; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Korea (Seoul)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A