Examining the Usability of an Educational Platform Designed for Human Computer Interaction*

Abstract

In this study, the purpose was to examine the usability level of a digital educational platform designed and developed within the scope of Human Computer Interaction (HCI). In the study, a weak experimental design, one of the quantitative research methods, was used. First of all, the learners' expectations regarding a digital educational platform within the scope of HCI were revealed. Next, the experimental group was asked to use the digital educational platform developed, and the control group was asked to use the digital educational platform currently used by the institution for one semester. The usability levels were compared by applying the System Usability Scale to both groups. In addition, a usability test was performed to compare both digital platforms. A total of 363 university students studying at Van Yuzuncu Yil University in the 2021/2022 Academic Year Fall and Spring semesters participated in the study. As the data collection tools, the Distance Education System Evaluation Questionnaire in Terms of Human Computer Interaction (HCIEQ), System Usability Scale (SUS) and HCI-Usability Observation Form (HCIOF) were used. The data were entered into SPSS 21 program, and descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, percentage and frequency, independent samples t-test and One-Way ANOVA were performed. Results of the analysis revealed that the digital educational platform developed within the scope of HCI was found by the learners to be more usable.