Critical usability-evaluation of mobile device applications for m-learning purposes
- 1. Critical usability-evaluation of mobile device applications for m-learning purposes Romana Feichtinger Michael Tesar Benedikt Salzbrunn Robert Pucher
- 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 Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010 www.smivision.com/en/eye-gaze-tracking-systems/products/iview-x-hed.html
- 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 Benedikt Salzbrunn - 2010
- 14. Thank you for your attention If there are any questions please do not hesitate asking them funding agency: