E-Learning Courseware Usability: Building a Theoretical Model

• Published in: The Journal of computer information systems Vol. 56; no. 1; pp. 55 - 61
• Main Authors: Koohang, Alex, Paliszkiewicz, Joanna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Stillwater Taylor & Francis 01.01.2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Communication; courseware; e-learning; Educational materials; Educational software; Efficiency; Hypotheses; Instructional design; Interactive learning; ISO standards; Online instruction; School environment; Studies; Teaching; Theory; Usability; usability attributes; usability properties
• ISSN: 0887-4417; 2380-2057
• DOI: 10.1080/08874417.2015.11645801

Based on a stream of research, this study identified four components of the e-learning courseware usability: fundamental, appearance, information presentation, and communication. The communication component was considered an expanded component of the e-learning courseware usability. A theoretical model was built and three hypotheses were developed to examine whether the communication component as an expanded component of the e-learning courseware usability significantly and positively contributed to the three components of the e-learning courseware usability (fundamental, appearance, and information presentation). An instrument was developed and administered to subjects taking various e-learning courses. The collected data were analyzed using a variance-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) package that uses Partial Least Square (PLS). Analyses of the results indicated a strong validated model supporting all stated hypotheses.