Analysis of Web-based Learning Interface Design based on Experts’ Verification for Higher Education

Abstract

Recently, the Web-based learning (WBL) platform, particularly for higher education, has become more crucial due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, due to the increased use of WBL  in higher education, an effective WBL interface design for higher education is truly important in order to attract students to use WBL and to further keep them engaged during learning via the Web-based platform. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the aesthetics of web interfaces based on experts’ opinions. This study adopted a quantitative research approach involving a data-gathering survey. Fifteen (15) WBL interfaces were designed based on nine (9) design principles which were balance, proportion, simplicity, alignment, movement, hierarchy, consistency, contrast, and proximity. The results of this study discovered that nine (9) WBL interfaces were determined by the experts as aesthetic interfaces, five (5) WBL interfaces as non-aesthetic and 1 (one) WBL interface was considered neither aesthetic nor non-aesthetic. This finding revealed that six (6) out of nine (9) interfaces had the balance design principle. However, balance was also in most non-aesthetic interfaces. A possible reason that balance was the most design principle in both the aesthetic and the non-aesthetic interfaces is that when designing WBL interfaces, there is a need to consider the combination of the design principles as a whole, and not count the design principles individually. In conclusion, this study's findings could contribute to the knowledge in the Human Computer Interaction domain, specifically in the interface design area.