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Article
Publication date: 21 November 2008

Tay Pei Lyn Grace, Ng Peck Suan and Liaw Wanzhen

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the usability and interface design of e‐learning portal developed for primary schools in Singapore.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the usability and interface design of e‐learning portal developed for primary schools in Singapore.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Singapore‐based learning EDvantage (LEAD) portal as a case study, this paper reviews and analyses the usability and usefulness of embedded learning objects (LOs) for students aged nine years and above through learning theories such as behaviourism, cognitivism and constructivism and interface design theories by Shneiderman, LO review instrument and laws of gestalt psychology.

Findings

Analysis found the portal to be sufficiently motivating and appealing to learners at Piaget's concrete operations stage. The interface design is universally structured and functional. An area for improvement highlighted in this case study is the lack of explicit mention of learning outcomes in the portal.

Practical implications

Usability principles used in this case study should be provided by the Ministry of Education in Singapore to schools to ensure more standardized and rigorous selection process of e‐learning portals.

Originality/value

This evaluation provides schools with insights into the use of learning theories and usability principles for evaluation of learning objects designed for primary‐going students. It aims to inform decision makers of issues in interactive design to consider before subscribing to any e‐learning portals. It also provides a gauge of current usability level of commercially developed portals as usage of such portals continue to proliferate in the Singapore education system.

Details

Interactive Technology and Smart Education, vol. 5 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-5659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2009

Tay Pei Lyn Grace

The purpose of this paper is to provide organizations which are keen to implement wikis with insight into its usefulness and possible role in the knowledge sharing and management

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide organizations which are keen to implement wikis with insight into its usefulness and possible role in the knowledge sharing and management process through lessons learnt from implementation of wikis by organizations ranging from SMEs with less than ten users to those with a vast network of 193 million members. These organizations are from the non‐technology as well as technology‐based sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a general review. It provides a background into the advent of wikis and briefly discusses related work on use of Wikis in corporate, public and educational context. This is followed by review of three case studies carried out on implementation of wikis and an analysis of the review.

Findings

The review proposes a framework for the wiki adoption process which may be used as a guide for in future adoption by organizations. It also found that some benefits which move these organizations towards the usage of wikis include its ease of use, ability to track and edit, its influence on the building of a trusting culture and as a central repository of information. One significant and tangible benefit from the use of wikis is its ability to save time and therefore, money. Issues to be addressed include security, control as well as technical issues such as data migration.

Research limitations/implications

The paper presents examples based on case studies conducted by other authors and a framework based on the observation of the key push factors and commonalities among the cases. Further empirical testing is needed to demonstrate the framework introduced in this paper.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that wikis may be the key to a viable and usable knowledge management tool due to its ease of use and collaborative nature, which ultimately leads to time and cost savings. A preliminary framework to represent the implementation flow of a wiki is also presented and may serve as a guide for organizations considering the use of wikis as a knowledge management tool.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

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