Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTpsQ8vxywY
USABILITY ANALYSIS ABOUT OUR MODDLE PLATFORM
The model of usability criteria stated by Jakob Nielsen has five aspects: learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction. Here you will find a short definition (given in Oblinger, D., & Oblinger, J. 2006) of each aspect and an analysis of our platform.
1. Learnability
“Refers to the speed and ease with which a novice user can achieve proficiency with the system”.
The platform is easy to handle. The content of the course, the purposes and the schedule are completely available from the beginning of the course.
All contents are either in PDF or word documents that describes all elements to begin the learning process.
Documents are easy to handle and provided with enough information, so the new student can learn in a fast way.
Although Boards and forums are suitable for topic discussion and feedback, the platform lacks in synchronous interactivity. Categories are not properly classified or it needs more options to offer a better interaction between the teacher – or administrator – and students.
Although it seems easy to handle, that easiness becomes in a plane and not so attractive presentation. Documents are necessary, but also it could be in other format different from the usual documents – like flash presentations, videos, videochat conferences, and others.
2. Efficiency
“Refers to the degree to which the system supports the performance of an experienced user in the shortest amount of time and with the fewest steps”.
The platform is really easy to handle and get familiarized with.
Also efficiency refers to the resources availability provided by the teacher and they provide all the necessary for the development of the course.
3. Memorability
“Refers to the degree to which a user, particularly an intermittent or casual user, can remember how to accomplish a task using the system, the steps of which were learned previously”.
The platform seems too easy for me to memorize the proper steps to complete tasks. Documents are pretty well organized to identify class objectives and relevant information.
It is a sequential model, so it is extremely difficult for someone to get lost in the course. The system is so simple – really simple in fact – that makes easy to the student to follow the necessary steps to fulfill the activities.
4. Errors
“Refer to the number of mistakes and missteps made by users”.
The platform doesn’t offer a startup unit in which students could learn to use properly the platform, and it would be advisable to have one. Nonetheless, in some way the system is so simple that committing a mistake or error is reduced to one or two incidents.
5. Satisfaction
“Refers to the users’ overall emotional experience when using the system”.
I feel comfortable with the platform but if it is improved in the way it is presented…more colors, pictures, videos and even synchronous communication options (videoconferencing) I would be happier.
I hope you find this criteria and sample useful to analyse your platform or a software.
References
Oblinger, D., & Oblinger, J. (Eds.) (2006). Learning Spaces. Educause. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/learningspaces Chapter 6
