Usability Evaluation of a Learning Management System

In this paper current usability evaluation methods are systematically examined and assessed. Thereupon, suitable evaluation methods are selected and applied in the evaluation of a learning management system. Usability evaluation methods can be distinguished in analytical and empirical procedures with either summative or formative objectives. A case example in the form of a usability evaluation of a learning management system is presented. The co-active e-learning platform koaLA provides teaching and learning material and integrates Web 2.0-technologies such as wikis, weblogs and forums. A cross-sectional survey revealed that although koaLA offers collaborative features, the majority of users of all user groups does not use them. Recommendations for koaLA are derived based on the qualitative and quantitative data from the survey.