Dr.John Kwame Boateng (PhD) School of Continuing and Distance Education, Legon, Accra, Ghana. University of Ghana, Head, ICDE Cape Coast Learning Centre

1. Usability Issues and Support Needs: What is
Important to Ghanaian Learners
John Kwame Boateng (PhD)
School of Continuing and Distance Education,
Legon, Accra, Ghana.

2. TAKORADI CENTRE

3. CAPE COAST CENTRE

4. COMPUTER LAB

5. BACKGROUND
• College of Education
School of Information and Communication Studies
School of Education and Leadership
School of Continuing and Distance Education (SCDE)
- 12 Learning Centres in Ghana including…
- Cape Coast Centre (CCC)
- Takoradi Centre (TC)
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6. BACKGROUND
• Traditional residency and Distance Education
• Degree and non-degree programs
• Activities in civic and community engagement
• Includes annual “New Year School and
Conference” (Provides civic education since 1939)
• In the past, DE courses and programmes provided as
printed modules (course packs)
• Now DE courses provided in a hybrid mode of online presence and
face-to-face tutorials
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7. GOALS OF THE SCDE
• Respond to needs of adult learners in use of technology for
developing essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes for lifelong
learning.
• Seek international collaborations to improve standards, quality
assurance and consistency in learning programme delivery.
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8. CURRENT STATUS
• Piloting Sakai from 2014/15 year.
• Rolling out distance education program at the Cape Coast
Centre in 2015.
• Meet growing demand of working adults and others who
have difficulties accessing conventional education due to
lack of flexibility course timing and location.
• Provide learning opportunity for employees, minorities,
dropouts and physically challenged people.
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9. The study investigated two research questions:
• What common (mostly occurring) usability problems confront
learners’ and prevail in an e-learning environment/intervention?
• Which of these usability problems should be taken into account in the
design and management of a centre-based e-learning programme for
adults?
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10. LITERATURE REVIEW
• Chang, (2011) argues that designers must
incorporate usability evaluation in designing e-learning
applications
• Suwannawut, (2011) argues for “accessible design”
• Babu & Singh, (2013) demonstrate that…
– Unique problems and challenges of specific user types in using Web-
based applications
– Users' web interaction challenges
– No clear understanding of the utility for specific user types
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11. CURRENT RESEARCH STUDY OBJECTIVES
• Examine adult learner perceptions about the common usability
problems that prevail in adopting solutions for a start up e-
learning intervention
• Identify the kinds of usability issues that should be taken into
account in the design and management of a centre-based e-
learning programme for adults
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12. In this presentation…
Methodology, results and discussion presented for :
Base line study conducted in Ghana
on usability issues.
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13. 13
Districts Locations in Central Region of GHANA

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Distance Accra to Cape Coast = 150 miles

15. Methodology: Baseline survey from
Respondents in Ghana
• Survey of respondents in two districts
in Central Region of Ghana
- Population = ~ 500-600 adult students
- Survey sample size = 150
• Respondents also provided opinion on
statements of importance in e-learning
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16. Quantitative Data:
Survey Used Summary
• Questionnaire based on Likert scale
- Strongly agree =5
- Agree =4
- Not sure = 3
- Disagree = 2
- Strongly disagree = 1
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17. Focus Groups in Two Districts of
Central Region
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18. Definitions for Variables
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• Learnability: Signifies how a new user can begin efficient
and error-free interaction with the e-learning system
• Usable content and resources: How easy it is for learners
to find and retrieve important content and use
communication resources and tools properly
• Visual design: The way a piece of artwork, a room, video,
photo or other artistic subject is composed and appeals to
the human eye in the e-learning system
• Media use: Refers to issues about the effective use of the
electronic media
• Learner guidance & support: Support and guidance

19. Definitions for Variables
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• Instructional assessment: Assessments presented in
formats in which all learners can demonstrate their levels
of mastery
• Interactivity: The way common interactive tools are used
effectively to engage learners
• Consistency: Consistent treatment of graphical assets,
navigation and feedback with the e-learning interface
• Access issues: Variety of people able to use the e-learning
system
• Accessibility: Level of access for the individual of the e-
learning system

20. Fig 1. Important Usability Issues (baseline)
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0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
Access issues
Accessibility
Consistency
Visual design
Interactivity
Content and resources
Media use
Learn ability
Learner guidance and support
Instructional assessment
Mean Response

21. Table 1a. Usability Needs of
Adults for E-Learning
Usability needs of adults for e-
learning
N Mea
n
Std.
Deviation
Interface is simple and intuitive 150 4.1 1.03
Multi-media is interactive and
Use visual cues
150 3.9 .86
Lessons are concise, succinct
and brief
150 4.2 .95
Activities are engaging and
entertaining
150 4.3 .80
The context is relevant and
content is meaningful
150 4.1 .97
Delivery is effective, right in 150 4.1 .9121

22. Table 1b. Usability Needs of
Adults for E-Learning
Usability needs of adults
for e-learning
N Mean Std.
Deviation
Cognitive load and design are
minimized
150 4.1 .99
There is consistency 150 4.2 .22
Navigation is usable and
obvious
150 4.1 .93
Real world conventions are
followed
150 4.3 .86
Mastering Technology 150 4.5 .76
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23. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
1. Mastering technology is a usability need to enable users
successfully engage in online learning
2. Learnability expressed as the most important usability concern in
e-learning
3. Learning content and resources must be cohesive with design
being consistent throughout and must have a focus
4. Effective interactivity, with discussions and collaborative
assignments, are good to be used
5. Accessibility issues of significance learning attainment,
communication, web interface, and inclusiveness
6. Usability issues of significance include learnability, media use,
content and resources, consistency etc
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24. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
1. Directions and navigation must be instantly recognizable and
obvious
2. Course environment should be easy
3. Design of instruction, should incorporate challenges, rigor and
moments for reflection
4. Principles of good web design to co-exist in harmony with the
course environment for effective student learning
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25. CONCLUSIONS
1. Study confirmed several best practices for use by
instructional designers:
a. Simple and intuitive interface design
b. Interactive multi-media
c. Short lessons and modular in form
d. Engaging and entertaining content
e. Meaningful content that is relevant to the context
f. E-learning system that enhances effective delivery
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26. IMPLICATIONS
• Awareness of the significance of usability in e-learning
and the mindset to integrate usability agenda into the
course during the planning phases.
• Understanding that usability issues in e-learning affects
both the physical environment of the website and the
type and form of the content employed by the course
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27. IMPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH ON
E-LEARNING FOR AFRICAN COUNTRIES
• Lessons learned informs education to fill
niche of adult learners in Cape Coast.
• E-learning can be optimized to know what
factors are essential and what can vary.
• Model, lessons learned and best practices
adapted for other locations in distance learning
courses.
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28. FUTURE RESEARCH CONSIDERATIONS
• Examine role of other factors in adult student learning and
satisfaction
- effects of student familiarity with computer
technology and online learning
- use of graduate students to support faculty
to achieve improved learning outcomes and
satisfaction
- use of recorded videos to enhance interaction
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29. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• This study was supported by:
• The office of Research Innovation and Development
(ORID), The University of Ghana
• The University of Michigan’s African Presidential
Scholars (UMAPS) Program of the African Studies Center
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THANK YOU!