THE INVESTIGATION OF THE USABILITY OF WEB-BASED ASSIGNMENT SYSTEM

Year 2016, Volume: 4 , 323 - 325, 01.09.2016

Osman Gazi Yıldırım Tolga Erdogan Harun Cıgdem

Abstract

Just
as in all aspects of our lives, technological advancements have had an impact
on traditional methods and techniques in education. The crucial reflections of
this transformation in education have shown themselves in the increase of
distance education and in the online content sharing, testing and assignment
taking traditional methods' place. Online assignment is a model where tasks are
given, student responses are submitted, results and feedback are shared on web.
The usability of this web-based assignment system should be explored in order
to use it effectively in class, identify and solve the problematic issues, and
increase both instructors' and students' level of satisfaction. The aim of this
study is to investigate the usability of web-based assignment system
implemented in a vocational college. For research purposes, System Usability
Scale scores of students were examined and students' opinions on web-based
assignment were received to identify the points on its usability. In this
mixed-design research, data were collected online from System Usability Scale
(SUS) and students' responses to open-ended questions. The participants were
204 post-secondary students enrolling at a vocational college during first
semester of 2015-2016 Academic Year. Descriptive statistics and t-test were
used in data analyses. The average score of 67.14 from SUS application showed
that the system can be used. No significant difference was observed between first
and second grades. The results of the qualitative analysis of those responses
given to open-ended questions revealed that students enjoyed the system,
instructor feedback had a motivating effect, but they had challenges owing to
absence of enough time and difficulty at having access to computers and
web-based assignment system. The results also showed that web-based assignments
could be effectively used, but the ease of students' access to computers and
internet should be taken into account before utilization.

Keywords

Online assignment, usability, LMS, mixed method

References

• Bangor, A., Kortum, P., & Miller, J. (2008). An empirical evaluation of the system usability scale. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 24(6), 574–594. doi:10.1080/10447310802205776 Barker, S., Fiedler, B., & Johnson, P. (2008). Paperless assignments: Moving forward or marking time? In Hello! Where are you in the landscape of educational technology? Proceedings ascilite Melbourne 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2016 from http://www.ascilite.org/conferences/melbourne08/procs/barker.pdf Battal, A., & Çağıltay, K. (2015). Investigation of Usage Frequency and Department on Usability Issues with the Online Examination System. Mersin University Journal of the Faculty of Education, 11(3), 752-763. Buzzetto-More, N.(2008). Student perceptions of various e-learning components. Interdisciplinary Journal of ELearning and Learning Objects, 4, 114-134. Collis, B., Boer, W. and Slotman, K. (2001). Feedback for web-based assignments. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 17(3), 306-313. Çağıltay, K. (2011). İnsan Bilgisayar Etkileşimi ve Kullanılabilirlik Mühendisliği: Teoriden Pratiğe. ODTÜ Yayıncılık. Grieve, R., Padgett, C.R., & Moffitt, R.L. (2016). Assignments 2.0: The role of social presence and computer attitudes in student preferences for online versus offline marking. Internet and Higher Education, 28, 8-16. Hepplestone, S., Holden, G., Irwin, B., Parkin, H.J., & Thorpe, L. (2011). Using technology to encourage student engagement with feedback: A literature review. Research in Learning Technology, 19(2), 117–127. Koohang, A. (2004). A study of users’ perceptions toward online learning courseware usability. International Journal on Online learning, 3(2), 10-17. Palmer, S. (2005-2006). An evaluation of on-line assignment submission, marking, and return. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 34(1), 57–67. Storey, M. A., Phillips, B., Maczewski, M., & Wang, M. (2002). Evaluating the usability of Web-based learning tools. Educational Technology & Society, 5(3), 91-100. Thomas, P., Carswell, L., Price, B., & Petre, M. (1998). A holistic approach to supporting distance learning using the Internet: transformation, not translation. British Journal of Educational Technology, 29(1), 149–161.