Interface design for digital courses

H. Tabbers, L. Kester, H. Hummel, R. Nadolski

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionScientificpeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    An important question in web-based education is how to deal with the design of the interface. What will the actual screen look like? Two main issues that are especially relevant for educational purposes are discussed, both from a Human-Computer Interaction and an Educational Psychology perspective. The first issue is the design of navigation and interaction in web-based environments. Students have to focus on the content, and do not want to be bothered with the way it works. Some of the most important guidelines for navigation in web-based environments are presented: consistency, global versus local guidance and expectation patterns. To illustrate the implications for screen design, we discuss the development of a graphical user interface for the EML-player. The second issue the chapter deals with is the cognitive architecture of the learner, which gives certain constraints on the way the educational content can be presented. The central ideas of Cognitive Load Theory are discussed, and the issues of multimedia and redundancy are further elaborated upon, resulting in guidelines for presenting educational content in web-based education. In the final discussion, an integrated set of design guidelines is given and some future developments are discussed. Furthermore, some critical remarks and reflections are given on the issue of redundancy in screen design and the plea for minimal screen design.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationIntegrated e-learning
    Subtitle of host publicationImplications for pedagogy, technology & organization
    EditorsW. Jochems, J. Merriënboer, R. Koper
    Place of PublicationLondon
    PublisherRoutledge Falmer
    Pages100-111
    ISBN (Print)0415335027
    Publication statusPublished - 2003

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Interface design for digital courses'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
    • Functions of audiovisual prosody

      Swerts, M. (Principal Investigator)

      1/01/031/03/08

      Project: Research project

    Cite this