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.