Evaluating Online Resources

In this section you are expected to carry out independent research, to identify strategies for evaluating learning resources. This presents an opportunity for you to demonstrate your understanding of what makes a good online learning resource, based on theories and evidence. In addition, Quality, Usability, and Accessibility, are all important considerations, as is Copyright.

Useful Reading

• Nielson (2012) Usability 101: Introduction to Usability - this resource can be found here

• OpenLearn (2016) Evaluating Technology information on the internet - this resource can be found here

We would also recommend the following guidelines when evaluating online learning content:

Media & Media Mix - Issues for Consideration

From Clark, R & Mayer, R 2008 “E-Learning and the Science of Instruction – 2nd Edition”, Pfeiffer, San Francisco pp.385 – 388

Multimedia Guidelines for All Types of e-Learning (Chapters 3-9):

If Using Visual Mode Only:

1. Use relevant graphics and text to communicate content— Multimedia Principle
2. Integrate the text nearby the graphic on the screen - Contiguity Principle
3. Avoid covering or separating information that must be integrated for learning - Contiguity Principle
4. Avoid irrelevant graphics, stories, and lengthy text - Coherence Principle
5. Write in a conversational style using first and second person - Personalisation Principle
6. Use virtual coaches (agents) to deliver instructional content such as examples and hints - Personalisation Principle
7. Break content down into small topic chunks that can be accessed at the learner’s preferred rate - Segmentation Principle
8. Teach important concepts and facts prior to procedures or processes - Pre-training Principle

If Using Audio and Visual Modes:

9. Use relevant graphics explained by audio narration to communicate content - Multimedia and Modality Principles
10. Maintain information the learner needs time to process in text on the screen, for example, directions to tasks, new terminology - Exception to Modality Principle
11. Avoid covering or separating information that must be integrated for learning - Contiguity Principle
12. Do not present words as both onscreen text and narration when there are graphics on the screen - Redundancy Principle
13. Avoid irrelevant videos, animations, music, stories, and lengthy narrations - Coherence Principle
14. Script audio in a conversational style using first and second person - Personalisation Principle
15. Script virtual coaches to present instructional content such as examples and hints via audio - Personalization Principle
16. Break content down into small topic chunks that can be accessed at the learner’s preferred rate - Segmentation Principle
17. Teach important concepts and facts prior to procedures or processes - Pre-training Principle

See https://faculty.washington.edu/farkas/TC510-Fall2011/ClarkMultimediaPrinciples(Mayer).pdf for more information re the principles noted for each point in the list above.

Finally, we’d offer this format for carrying out evaluations of digital learning courses and/or resources: