Learning Environments and Usability: Appropriateness and Complementarity of Evaluation Methods

Technolog -based learning environments are a specific kind of software. In this paper we initiall briefly examine some often overlooked factors that are related to the usabilit y of educational software. Then, evaluation methods are examined in relation to the overall design-development cycle. It is argued that most of the methods are complementary and may be used in different phases of a specific lear ning environment development. It is also argued that some methods are crucial to use for formative evaluation. Finall some research approaches, appropriate for interface design and evaluation of innovative environments are discussed.