Aneta Bartuskova

Design Requirements of Usability and Aesthetics for e-Learning Purposes

This paper presents principal design requirements, in terms of usability and aesthetics, for e-learning purposes. Usability and aesthetic attributes applicable for standalone materials as well as e-learning applications are identified, based on research of existing literature and experience. Design requirements are then defined from logically coherent groups of these attributes, namely: legibility, design consistency, visual presentation, content arrangement and content adjustment. Specified requirements are further discussed according to their role in e-learning, application and frequent mistakes based on experience.

Evaluation Framework for User Preference Research Implemented as Web Application

This article presents an evaluation framework for user preference research. Web application was implemented to verify this framework. Interrelated influence of three main aspects of the website - usability, aesthetics and information part - is demonstrated in a performed experiment. Surprisingly, the perception of aesthetics was most significantly influenced by the quality of two remaining factors. The original hypothesis was, that the quality of aesthetics will influence the perception of usability and information part. The article also features a parallel comparison approach, which allows within-subject design and two-way performed manipulation of variables.

Evolutionary Approach of General System Theory Applied on Web Applications Analysis

This paper reviews evolution stages of websites and presents framework for websites analysis, based on the evolutionary approach of general systems theory. Development of websites and web-based applications is discussed, according to their historical emergence, usage, increasing complexity and integration of new aspects and principles. Resulting individual stages of this development are suggested in accordance with the evolutionary approach. Framework for websites analysis and evaluation is then presented in a form of criteria list for each defined stage. Website’s maturity (in the meaning of internet’s evolution) can be then determined by confronting these criteria.

Artificial Neural Networks in Biomedicine Applications

This paper reviews artificial neural networks (ANN) and their use in various disciplines, especially medicine and biomedicine. As they are progressively evolving, fields of knowledge and modern methods such as ANN help to process information in order to make positive contribution to the development of human knowledge. The article illuminates this information processing in terms of artificial neurons and presents the learning algorithms for ANN. Finally, its current use is reviewed, especially its impact on drug design and development and application in biomedicine.

The Novel Approach to Organization and Navigation by Using All Organization Schemes Simultaneously

Traditional navigation of websites and web-based systems has a limited information value apart from text values of individual navigation items. We present a method for constructing an information-rich navigation, based on advantages of vertical menus, site maps and tag clouds. Our solution is theoretically grounded in classification of organization schemes and presents an arrangement by all organization schemes simultaneously. Layers of organization are distinguished by a combined use of textual, spatial and visual techniques. Proposed method utilizes combination of objective means of organization, increased information density and reduced interaction cost. This arrangement is expected to facilitate efficient browsing in web environment and is applicable also on learning or knowledge management systems.

Framework of Design Requirements for E-learning Applied on Blackboard Learning System

Existing evaluations of learning systems are mostly based on a subjective feedback from end users, in order to measure their satisfaction and experience with the system. The results usually only indicate which areas are weaker than others; comments obtained from users are often casual and fuzzy. Therefore we propose a systematic review of usability and visual appeal by experts in HCI to complement current practice. Our solution of assessment is based on a framework of design requirements for e-learning purposes, which provides a concise easy to follow checklist, covering all significant areas of design assessment. This approach offers factual design issues which should be dealt with and can be especially useful in cases, where feedback from users is hard to obtain or it does not reveal any useful information.

Implementing Knowledge and Workflow Management in Learning Management Systems

This paper introduces a novel solution for visualized knowledge and workflow management, which can significantly improve usability of learning environments. The motivation is that in traditional LMS, learner cannot navigate through learning materials of several courses simultaneously, which would be very beneficial. First we present an analysis of three basic organization structures - matrix, hierarchy and network. Then an analysis of types of learning content and data formats for selected computer science courses is performed. The most versatile structure was finally enhanced to support well-arranged simultaneous display of learning content of several learning courses, organized by the course, content type and sequence.

Personalization of Learning Content and Its Structure, Based on Limitations of LMSs

This paper evaluates learning management systems as the standardized solutions for e-learning. We present an overview of already researched limitations of these systems, accompanied by new findings from an analysis of existing learning object repositories. Several interesting novel approaches in the area of personalization, adaptation, collaboration and evaluation of learning systems are discussed. Detected shortcomings are used as a basis for the new learning system solution, focused on personalization of both learning content and its organization structure. This paper includes a conceptual proposal and an outline of the technical solution of this system.

Loading Speed of Modern Websites and Reliability of Online Speed Test Services

Loading speed of websites reflects the website´s performance and has a significant influence on user experience and satisfaction. In this paper we analyze causes and consequences of slow loading of websites, followed by recommendations and comments on usual practice and feasibility. In the next part of the article we discuss a choice of the right online speed test in order to achieve an optimized performance of websites. Selected free online services are analyzed, with a focus on available functions and settings. Finally the issue of reliability and default settings of these services is discussed and tested by performing a series of repeated speed tests with a combination of settings.

Knowledge Management and Sharing in E-Learning

Management and effective usage of learning resources is becoming increasingly difficult due to several reasons. Firstly, teachers do not usually have enough time and motivation to compile resources for specific learning course in the unified well-arranged way. Secondly, the internet provides almost limitless amount of information and attracts learners, who however do not have a necessary expertise to distinguish reliable and useful information to the particular topic. This problem is especially pronounced in fields of study, which are continuously evolving, such as medicine or software development, because the knowledge (and learning resources as well) needs to be regularly updated. In this paper we review the existing solutions and then propose a new system, which could deal with this continuous evolvement. Our solution is to create a flexible resource-rich hierarchical learning environment, which supports a collaborative building of learning resources for the specific knowledge domain. Presented knowledge management system is based on the shared hierarchy, user contribution and moderated improvement of learning resources. The ultimate goal of this system is, in addition to making teaching and studying easier and more effective, support of collaborative building of learning resources and enrichment of communities of teachers and students.