A TECHNIQUE TO INCREASE THE USABILITY OF E-LEARNING WEBSITES

Abstract

Distance learning is an ancient idea to impart education to the learners who were unable to join the regular educational institutes. Revolution in information technology has changed this mode of learning to e-learning. E-learning is the mode of education in which the learners in remote areas were educated through the use of technology. Many institutes have developed dedicated websites and learning management systems such as open courseware, to introduce e- learning method. These learning management systems are very efficient, have vast learning material and communication channels without assistive support for physically disabled users. Lack of assistive technology support in these websites stimulated negative user experiences. In this research work an e-learning usability evaluation model based on user’s mental model, had been developed. Objective of this research work was to reduce the gap between user’s mental model and designer’s perception. The major problem while improving usability was a communication gap between user and designer.