Usability evaluation of two virtual learning environments used in Qatar-Finland International School

dc.contributorAalto Universityen
dc.contributorAalto-yliopistofi
dc.contributor.advisor-, -
dc.contributor.authorMutanen, Anssi
dc.contributor.schoolTaiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulufi
dc.contributor.schoolSchool of Arts, Design and Architectureen
dc.contributor.supervisorLeinonen, Teemu
dc.date.accessioned2018-05-31T09:14:56Z
dc.date.available2018-05-31T09:14:56Z
dc.date.issued2018
dc.description.abstractThe amount of digital educational resources has grown dramatically over the past two decades. Also, the fast development and growth in the number of mobile devices at home and schools has created new possibilities for learning. Thousands of online sites and applications are offering educational resources in different formats and interfaces. In order to make these resources as efficient and useful as possible, developers should gather more information about usability and user experience to build better interfaces. In this research, I will evaluate the usability of the two, modern virtual learning environments (VLEs) used in Qatar- Finland International School. The VLEs are Sanoma Pro and Microsoft Office 365. These particular learning environments were selected by interviewing the users at school. This thesis in a qualitative study and the research methods are semi-structured interviews and a thinking aloud- method. The informants are from three different categories: users (students), super-users (teachers and administration) and experts (usability professionals). The research was carried out in the academic year 2016-2017 and finalised during 2018. As a result, a conclusion can be drawn that especially in Office 365 more emphasis should be put on usability from the student’s and teacher’s point of view. Overall, the complexity of the learning environment makes it relatively hard to use for many unexperienced users. Sanoma Pro material, on the other hand, has taken the users well into consideration but is lacking the possibilities of editing the materials according to the needs of the end-user. It is important to make a careful usability testing before the launching of the material, and take all possible stakeholders in to consideration. According to this research the recommendation is to use three groups in the usability testing of the learning materials: teachers, students and usability experts. In general, developers of the learning resources should take the questions of usability in to careful consideration in order to produce compatible quality materials for effective and long-time use in growing international markets.en
dc.format.extent64
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.urihttps://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/31368
dc.identifier.urnURN:NBN:fi:aalto-201805312798
dc.language.isoenen
dc.programmefi
dc.subject.keywordusabilityen
dc.subject.keywordvirtual learning environmenten
dc.subject.keywordthinking alouden
dc.subject.keywordheuristic evaluationen
dc.titleUsability evaluation of two virtual learning environments used in Qatar-Finland International Schoolen
dc.titleKäytettävyysarviointi kahdesta Qatar-Finland School:in oppimisympäristöstäfi
dc.typeG2 Pro gradu, diplomityöfi
dc.type.ontasotMaster's thesisen
dc.type.ontasotMaisterin opinnäytefi

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
master_Mutanen_Anssi_2018.pdf
Size:
3.69 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format