Looking for the Right Method: How to Evaluate
and Test Various e-Learning Platforms with different Educational Environments
Uta
Anne Kroder, Brigitte B. Strahwald,
Marzellus Hofmann, Martin Rutzler, Anne Ritter and Lynn Krieter
medicMED,
University Witten /Herdecke,
ABSTRACT:
MedicMED, a project at the University of Witten/Herdecke, is sponsored by the German Ministry for Education. The aim of the project is to realize a web based e-learning platform for medical case stories and further educational content for students of medicine.
To control learning success and to meet the needs of the target group of students, detailed evaluation and usability tests of the web pages are an essential part of the development process and quality-assurance measurements.
Since MedicMED modules differ in their educational concept, we implemented a range of different methods of evaluation and usability tests. In our medical case simulations users can adopt the case navigation to their own needs. This requires a user based evaluation method, which focuses on the individual view of students. Therefore a qualitative method was chosen.
Evaluation and testing of computer based examination modules, which are integrated in the curriculum, have to verify the objectiveness of study results. They should not be influenced by the examinee's individual PC knowledge or possible gender-differences concerning handling PC-programs. In this case a quantitative method is advisable. The detailed methodical steps of the project evaluation will be presented and related to their particular educational web concepts and applications. We also show the detailed results of the quantitative and qualitative evaluation.
BENEFIT TO
PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:
Evaluation and usability standards exist but uniqueness of different e-learning applications is rarely included in the process of choosing methods qualified for specific educational conditions. MedicMED has developed evaluation methods and a detailed concept of usability testing that can be adopted by others. The effectiveness of these methods is presented by showing results of quantitative and qualitative evaluation.
Uta Anne Kroder
Private Universität Witten/Herdecke gGmbH
Projekt medicMED
Alfred-Herrhausen-Strsse 50
D-58448
Phone:
49-(0)02302 - 926- 784 Fax: 49-(0)2302-926-792
Email: mailto:uakroder@uni-wh.de
Website: http://www.medicmed-uwh.de