[论文解读] Usability Evaluation of Learning Management Systems in Sri Lankan Universities

Selvarajah Thuseethan, Sivapalan Achchuthan+1 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Nov 30, 2014

E-Learning and Knowledge Management参考文献 16被引用 33

一句话总结

本研究基于标准化可用性标准与实证测试，评估斯里兰卡大学中学习管理系统（LMS）的可用性，重点关注基于Moodle的平台。研究发现，导航、任务完成效率及系统响应速度等方面存在显著可用性问题，影响用户满意度与效率，凸显了改进用户界面以提升电子学习有效性的必要性。

ABSTRACT

As far as Learning Management System is concerned, it offers an integrated platform for educational materials, distribution and management of learning as well as accessibility by a range of users including teachers, learners and content makers especially for distance learning. Usability evaluation is considered as one approach to assess the efficiency of e-Learning systems. It is used to evaluate how well technology and tools are working for users. There are some factors contributing as major reason why LMS is not used effectively and regularly. Learning Management Systems, as major part of e-Learning systems, can benefit from usability research to evaluate the LMS ease of use and satisfaction among its handlers. Many academic institutions worldwide prefer using their own customized Learning Management Systems; this is the case with Moodle, an open source Learning Management Systems platform designed and operated by most of the universities in Sri Lanka. This paper gives an overview of Learning Management Systems used in Sri Lankan universities, and evaluates its usability using some pre-defined usability standards. In addition it measures the effectiveness of Learning Management System by testing the Learning Management Systems. The findings and result of this study as well as the testing are discussed and presented.

研究动机与目标

• 评估斯里兰卡大学中学习管理系统（LMS）的可用性，特别是基于Moodle的平台。
• 识别影响教师、学生及内容创作者在电子学习环境中有效使用的可用性障碍。
• 通过标准化可用性测试与用户交互分析，评估LMS的有效性。
• 基于实证研究结果，提出可操作的LMS设计改进建议。

提出的方法

• 采用既定的可用性标准与度量方法进行可用性评估。
• 在斯里兰卡大学的真实用户中开展可用性测试，以模拟典型的LMS操作任务。
• 收集任务完成率、任务耗时、错误频率及用户满意度数据。
• 结合定性反馈与定量性能指标，评估系统的效率与用户体验。
• 将《全球计算机科学与技术杂志》（Global Journal of Computer Science and Technology）作为研究成果的发表平台。
• 由于其开源特性与广泛采用，Moodle被认定为斯里兰卡大学中占主导地位的LMS平台。

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 从终端用户的角度来看，当前斯里兰卡大学中的LMS平台可用性如何？
• RQ2 哪些具体的可用性因素阻碍了学生、教师及内容开发人员对LMS的有效使用？
• RQ3 现有LMS平台在多大程度上支持高效的任务完成与用户满意度？
• RQ4 系统设计缺陷在多大程度上影响了高等教育中电子学习工具的采用与日常使用？

主要发现

• 在多个LMS平台中，导航、界面布局及任务完成效率方面均发现显著的可用性问题。
• 用户报告称错误率较高，且在访问课程资料或提交作业时任务耗时过长。
• 用户满意度评分低于可接受阈值，表明对系统响应速度与清晰度的不满。
• 研究发现，界面设计不一致及缺乏用户引导对新手及经验丰富的用户均产生负面影响。
• 尽管Moodle被广泛采用，但其仍表现出关键的可用性缺陷，尽管具备开源灵活性与定制潜力。
• 结果表明，斯里兰卡大学当前的LMS配置未能达到基本可用性基准，限制了其教育有效性。