A TECHNIQUE TO INCREASE THE USABILITY OF E-LEARNING WEBSITES

Abstract

Distance learning is an ancient idea to impart education to the learners who wereunable to join the regular educational institutes. Revolution in information technology has changed thismode of learning to e-learning. E-learning is the mode of education in which the learners in remoteareas were educated through the use of technology. Many institutes have developed dedicated websitesand learning management systems such as open courseware, to introduce e- learning method. Theselearning management systems are very efficient, have vast learning material and communicationchannels without assistive support for physically disabled users. Lack of assistive technology supportin these websites stimulated negative user experiences. In this research work an e-learning usabilityevaluation model based on user’s mental model, had been developed. Objective of this research workwas to reduce the gap between user’s mental model and designer’s perception. The major problemwhile improving usability was a communication gap between user and designer.