Digital Learning Module Design Informed by Student Feedback Achieves High Usability

Why It Matters

In rapidly changing educational landscapes, such as those influenced by global events, the ability to quickly adapt teaching methods and resources is crucial. User-centred modelling processes ensure that digital learning tools are not only technically sound but also meet the practical needs and preferences of students, leading to better engagement and learning outcomes.

Key Finding

The study found that the pandemic forced higher education institutions to adopt digital learning, and that incorporating student feedback into the design of digital modules is critical for their success.

Key Findings

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift to digital learning in higher education.
• Student feedback is essential for designing effective digital educational modules.
• A structured approach to module development, incorporating user input, can lead to viable digital learning solutions.

Research Evidence

Aim: To develop a digital educational module for higher education that effectively addresses student needs and requirements, even in the context of a pandemic.

Method: Exploratory research, focus group feedback, and questionnaire-based data collection.

Procedure: The study involved detailing the impacts of COVID-19 on higher education, planning and creating a digital educational module, and gathering feedback from a focus group using a structured questionnaire. Outcomes were compiled into graphs and discussions to inform the module's design.

Context: Higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design Principle

User-centric iterative design for digital educational tools.

How to Apply

When designing any digital learning resource, conduct focus groups or surveys with potential users to understand their challenges and preferences, and use this feedback to refine the design iteratively.

Limitations

The study's findings may be specific to the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the particular higher education setting studied.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: When creating online learning materials, it's super important to ask students what they think and use their ideas to make the materials better.

Why This Matters: This research shows that designing digital learning tools without understanding the users can lead to ineffective products. By involving users, you can create more successful and impactful designs.

Critical Thinking: How might the specific challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have influenced the types of feedback received and the resulting module design, and how might a 'normal' educational context yield different design outcomes?

IA-Ready Paragraph: The development of effective digital educational modules, as highlighted by Mahadevan and Prabakar (2023), necessitates a user-centred approach. Their study demonstrated that incorporating direct student feedback through questionnaires and focus groups was crucial in shaping a digital learning module that met the specific needs and requirements of higher education students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This iterative process of design and feedback ensures that digital learning solutions are not only technically viable but also pedagogically sound and user-friendly, leading to improved engagement and learning outcomes.

Project Tips

• Clearly define your target user group for any digital product.
• Use a variety of methods to gather user feedback, such as surveys, interviews, and usability testing.

How to Use in IA

• Reference this study when justifying the use of user feedback and iterative design in your own design project, especially if it involves digital learning or educational technology.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of how user feedback directly influenced specific design decisions in your project.

Independent Variable: Implementation of digital educational module, student feedback.

Dependent Variable: Suitability and effectiveness of the digital educational module.

Controlled Variables: Higher education context, pandemic situation.

Strengths

• Addresses a timely and relevant issue in education.
• Employs a practical approach to module development using user feedback.

Critical Questions

• What specific aspects of the digital module were most positively and negatively received by students?
• How scalable is this feedback-driven design process to different subject areas or educational levels?

Extended Essay Application

• This research can inform an Extended Essay investigating the efficacy of different user feedback methodologies in the design of educational technologies, or exploring the long-term impact of pandemic-induced digital learning shifts on student engagement and learning.

Source

Impact of E-Learning Among Students Pursuing Higher Education Due to COVID-19: An Exploratory Study · Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice · 2023 · 10.33423/jhetp.v23i20.6720