A Framework for Mobile Learning Technology Usability Testing

Abstract

Mobile devices have gained popularity among learners prompting educators to adopt mobile for teaching and learning. Despite high use of mobile devices amongst learners, there is no direct relationship between device ownership and its usability. Educators demand that a technological learning tool must be usable and effective in supporting the way learners learn, however, there are few tools to evaluate usability of mobile devices within the context of learning. Using focus groups and learners as participants, this study, developed a framework for usability testing. Suitable Human Interactive Elements (HIE’s) were proposed by the focus group with their associated measurements to computer indexes. The framework was validated and used to evaluate iPad use in class at a tertiary institution. The results revealed that 88.1% of learners were satisfied learning with iPad with a correlation of .926 between learners’ and lecturers usability testing.