Considerations for Literacy students

Interface design An interface should be: Intuitive to operate - using standard controls Clear – learners should know exactly what to do and where they are Consistent – learners should not have to hunt for buttons, controls and other interactive elements The best type of interface is one that learners are almost unaware of because it is so easy to use.

An interface should be:

Intuitive to operate - using standard controls

Clear – learners should know exactly what to do and where they are

Consistent – learners should not have to hunt for buttons, controls and other interactive elements

The best type of interface is one that learners are almost unaware of because it is so easy to use.

Are the learners in control? Online learning is more effective when learners are in control of their learning. These are some points to consider: Can learners control the pace of the learning? Can learners get to where they want to be, when they want to? Can learners revisit any part of the materials? Can learners retry an activity, question or quiz?

Online learning is more effective when learners are in control of their learning.

These are some points to consider:

Can learners control the pace of the learning?

Can learners get to where they want to be, when they want to?

Can learners revisit any part of the materials?

Can learners retry an activity, question or quiz?

Design layout This helps learners to focus on the content: Revealed text should be close to the clicked item as this is where the eye is focused Most people read a screen as they would do a book – from top to bottom and from left to right so good online resources should replicate this Images used to support words – they should not be distracting/irrelevant or used just for decoration Less is more – the cognitive load should be kept at a minimum

This helps learners to focus on the content:

Revealed text should be close to the clicked item as this is where the eye is focused

Most people read a screen as they would do a book – from top to bottom and from left to right so good online resources should replicate this

Images used to support words – they should not be distracting/irrelevant or used just for decoration

Less is more – the cognitive load should be kept at a minimum

Online Resources