UseLearn: A novel checklist and usability evaluation method for eLearning systems by criticality metric analysis

This paper proposes a new usability evaluation checklist, UseLearn, and a related method for eLearning systems. UseLearn is a comprehensive checklist which incorporates both quality and usability evaluation perspectives in eLearning systems. Structural equation modeling is deployed to validate the UseLearn checklist quantitatively. The experimental results show that the UseLearn method supports the determination of usability problems by criticality metric analysis and the definition of relevant improvement strategies. The main advantage of the UseLearn method is the adaptive selection of the most influential usability problems, and thus significant reduction of the time and effort for usability evaluation can be achieved. At the sketching and/or design stage of eLearning systems, it will provide an effective guidance to usability analysts as to what problems should be focused on in order to improve the usability perception of the end-users. Relevance to industry: During the sketching or design stage of eLearning platforms, usability problems should be revealed and eradicated to create more usable and quality eLearning systems to satisfy the end-users. The UseLearn checklist along with its quantitative methodology proposed in this study would be helpful for usability experts to achieve this goal. 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.