Usability and Interface Design in eLearning

Usability and interface design, as blanket terms, need to be defined before exploring their meanings in the eLearning context. Usability is a term used to denote the ease with which people can employ a particular tool in order to achieve a particular goal. The extent to which an object is easily usable by the users determines the usability of that object.

Blanket definition of usability and interface design
Usability and interface design, as blanket terms, need to be defined before exploring their meanings in the eLearning context. Usability is a term used to denote the ease with which people can employ a particular tool in order to achieve a particular goal. The extent to which an object is easily usable by the users determines the usability of that object. If a user can easily speak to somebody or send and receive text messages on a cell phone, it can be termed as fairly usable. The core is, as long as a user can employ a tool to perform its defined task without being stuck in learning how to use the object, it is usable. There are varying degrees of usability for different tools.

Any object becomes usable because of its interface. Interface can be defined as the medium through which a user interacts with or uses an object to perform particular tasks. Thus, the user interface of a cell phone comprises the keys and the display screen. The design of this interface is what determines its usability. If the interface design is complex, and does not convey the exact function of each of its element, it can scare off the user even before he actually starts using the object. Hence, it is important for designers to keep the interface design succinct in order to increase the usability of the object.

How do usability and interface design affect eLearning
E-learning, is short for electronic learning, or learning through the combination of various electronic media like the computer, web and other technologies. Obviously, it requires an interface between the learner and the technology, to facilitate learning. The usability of any e learning initiative can be determined by the ease with which learners can learn their chosen subject without being lost in the rigmarole of learning how to use the technology. And this is determined by the interface design of the e learning process.

A badly designed user interface adversely affects the usability of an eLearning program. This drives away learners from taking up or completing the course, even before they can decide whether the course suits their needs. Little wonder then, that many students prefer the more conventional classroom based approach to learning. The usability and interface design of an eLearning course, therefore, can make or mar its success.



The neglect of usability and interface design in eLearning
While much research has gone into instructional designs of e-learning, the interaction between the user and the medium of delivery has not been thought about as much. Being the most important aspect in the success of an e learning initiative has not stopped it from being the most neglected one. This, among other snags, is responsible, to a large extent, for the high drop out rates of eLearning programs. An interface that leaves much to be desired makes the students weary of the whole process of learning and kills their motivation. Thus, for an e learning initiative to be successful, its usability and a well designed interface matter the most.

Key to a better interface design in eLearning
After recognizing the importance of a usable interface design in e learning initiatives, the next step is to focus on building a better user interface. The basic user interface encompasses

Orientation
This tells the learners what part of the course is being accessed by them, and where do they stand within the course. An exact orientation allows the learner an overview of how much has been learnt, and how much still remains. This keeps his motivation in the program intact, if not stimulate it.

Navigation
This comprises of keys and links that allow the learner to access relevant information with ease. It forms an important part of the user interface design because it represents the dexterity with which a user can traverse through the sea of information contained in the course material.

Metaphors
Creating metaphors consists of deciding the premise of the entire program. The theme can be chosen depending upon what type of course it supports. Like an educative program may use different backgrounds, names of the elements of menu, and colors, than that of a program aimed at say conducting a seminar or training for using a particular appliance. A consistent feel throughout the course will help in kindling the curiosity of learners.

Usability testing
Testing the designed user interface on the end users makes it more user-friendly. Any suggestions by learners can be incorporated and areas that learners find difficult to use can be corrected. No interface design should be finalized without testing it on the target audience to gauge its actual usability. Since all templates of your e learning course depend upon the user interface design, the best time to finalize upon the design is after it is usability tested.


Wrap up
Poorly designed user interface and low usability of an e-learning initiative cannot be solely blamed for its failure. Having said this, it remains equally true that low usability and a defectively designed user interface together account for a high number of learners dropping out of courses, since an interface is the starting point of the learner’s interaction with the courseware. A good user interface design will improve the usability of a program, and, in turn, encourage and motivate learners to stick to the program till its completion.