110 / 2016-06-14 13:45:00

Design and Implementation of Efficient User Interface in a Synchronous eLearning System

Design,User Interface,Elearning,Complex System

Due to lack of distinction between the primary functionalities with the secondary, user interfaces of most of the current synchronous eLearning systems suffer complex and parallel display of many windows, causing usability reduction; Besides, distraction may arise when user switches between windows as there is no organic link between different functionality windows; Moreover, large number of windows without efficient message notification lowers users' wareness of others, causing the reduction of operating efficiency. With the consideration of the specific requirement of teaching and learning process, as well as the concept of user centered design, we combine all of the functionalities in a simple and organic manner to ensure the simplicity of the interface. We divide the functionalities into front channel and back channel categories. Based on the partition, a simple interface integrates them organically by using quick buttons in the front channel window for easy and rapid control on the showing or hiding of the back channel windows, thus ensure the operating efficiency; New messages arisen in the back channel windows will be displayed in the front channel windows by making the corresponding quick buttons twinkle and highlighted, thus ensure the effectiveness of the interface. User study has shown that this interface has a good user experience and usability.