Usability Issues and Support Needs for E-learning Important to Ghanaian Learners

Abstract

This study explored usability challenges, adult learners face in e-learning in the Central Region of Ghana. One hundred and fifty potential adult learners from two districts completed a paper-based questionnaire from June to July 2014. The questionnaire used the five-point Likert scale for responses. ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). Respondents’ report that, learnability was a major usability concern (mean = 4.3). The next major concern for learners was finding and retrieving content and resources for effective e-learning (Mean = 4.2). This was followed by the concern that the e-learning interface be usable by variety of people with different access issues (mean = 4.1). On usability needs for e-learning, adult learners expressed need for mastering technology required for e-learning (mean = 4.5); Learners also wished that, activities would be more entertaining and engaging (mean = 4.3) and make use of real world conventions and scenarios to make the systems more usable (mean = 4.3); Potential adult learners expressed the need that, there should be consistency in treatment of graphical assets, navigation and feedback within the e-learning interface (mean = 4.2) and that e-learning interface should be simple and intuitive (mean = 4.1) among others.