THE DESIGN OF EVALUATION FEATURE TO IMPROVE DEVELOPMENT OF LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

Purpose: The main purpose of the project is to improve the evaluation processes in a post implemented learning management system. Recurrent and agile evaluation can improve user experience and establish good prerequisites for the users’ learning. However, the user’s feedback is essential in the improvement of the system. Therefore, the ambition of this project is to develop a prototype of a feedback feature that is designed to gather inputs from the users in a systematic and structured way to enable further analysis and system enhancement. Theory: For this development project, the human-centered design and the Design Thinking process model were used as a framework for the design procedure to focus on the end-users and their needs as learners. Method: The Design Thinking method was implemented to design an evaluation feature which involves empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping and testing phases. Semi-structured interviews and observations were used for data collection. Thematic analysis approach was used for data analysis. Results: During the project, three main premises for facilitating the end users’ learning processes were identified that developers consider important in their development of LMS: 1) their own pedagogical experience and previously gathered educational knowledge. 2) feedback gathered from end-users, teachers and test teams, 3) recommendations produced by educational 2 authorities (e.g., Swedish National Agency for Education). The results of this development project indicated also that the evaluation feature in the learning management system can be designed through considering existing design elements, system context, the particular user group, the situation around the system, the requirements from the educational authorities and the developers’ expertise.