The informal E-learning usability evaluation group, led by Dr. Joi Moore, came together to research the current methods used to evaluate e-learning and e-learning usability.
My primary role was as a volunteer research assistant to Dr. Joi Moore on the project. Our first task was to review current practices for evaluating e-learning usability. Over time, it became clear that the field of e-learning evaluation needed additional research to help build a common language and protocol for what was being evaluated. In other words, the terms used in e-learning usability evaluations were not appropriately operationalized. We utilized qualitative and quantitative methods to collect and analyze survey data related to perceived meanings of the usability evaluation terms and compared and contrasted commonly-utilized e-learning usability instruments in order to move the research forward in the field of e-learning usability evaluations.
Writings from this research:
Dickson-Deane, C., Moore, J. L., Chen, W. & Vo, N., Galyen, K. & Washburn, M. (2009). Building Competence for Usability Evaluation of E-learning courses. Paper presented at the AECT's annual Conference,Training and Performance Division, Louisville Kentucky. [Download]
Dickson-Deane, C., Moore, J. L., Galyen, K., Chen, W., Vo, N. & Washburn, M. (2009, June). Identifying Appropriate E-learning Usability Evaluators. Paper presented at the E-learn Conference conducted by The University of West Indies. St. Augustine, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. [Download]
Galyen, K. & Dickson-Deane, C. (2009). Lessons Learned in Evaluating e-Learning Products: A Beginning Evaluator Checklist. In Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2009 (pp. 1952-1956). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Galyen, K., Dickson-Deane, C., Moore, J., Chen, W. & Vo, N. (2009). Usability Evaluation of a Nuclear Math and Theory Online Learning Environment. In Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2009 (pp. 842-847). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. [Download]
Moore, J.L., Dickson-Deane, C., Galyen, K., Vo, N. & Charoentham, M. (2008). ELearning Usability Instruments: What is being Evaluated?. In Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2008 (pp. 430-435). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. [Download]
Moore, J.L., Dickson-Deane, C., Galyen, K. & Chen, H. (2009). Refining an e-course usability evaluation tool. In Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2009 (pp. 885-890). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. [Download]
Moore, J. L., Galyen, K., Saparova, D., Washburn, M., Dickson-Deane, C. & Kulp, G. (2009). Evaluating Online Boating Safety Courses: Are they Usable? Paper presented at the AECT's annual Conference, Distance Learning Division, Louisville Kentucky.
Moore, J. L., Dickson-Deane, C., Galyen, K. & Chen, W. (2010, April). Designing for E-learn, Online, and Distance Learning Environments: Are They the Same? Paper presented at AERA's annual Conference, Special Interest Group Online Teaching and Learning (SIG-OTL), Denver Colorado.
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E-learning Usability Evaluation