Usability Maturity model and Assessment Tool for Virtual Learning Systems

Abstract: Virtual Learning Systems (VLS) are becoming an increasingly common form of education due to the need for a platform that provides ability to connect people with required sets of skills, regardless of their location in the world. However, user satisfaction has been a major factor in the success of software, regardless of whether the software is proprietary or freeware. Although user-centred designs are gaining recognition among VLS community, many design scenarios still do not incorporate usability as one of their primary goals. Accordingly, many individuals believe that if VLS was more usable, its popularity would increase tremendously. Although there are strong usability models for information systems, there is still potential to improve the usability of virtual learning systems. The usability assessment of VLS is an area where relatively little research has been conducted, and, accordingly, the main contribution of this work is a tool that evaluates the usability maturity of a virtual learning systems.

Keywords: VLS, Usability Maturity, User-Centred Design, Metrics.