Designing Metadata Surrogates for Search Result Interfaces of Learning Object Repositories: Linear versus Clustered Metadata Des

This study reports the findings of a usability test conducted to examine users' interaction with two different learning object metadata-driven search result interfaces. The first was a clustered metadata surrogate interface (where metadata elements were divided into sections), and the second a linear or single metadata surrogate interface (where all metadata elements were listed in a single record). The objectives of this research were: firstly, to investigate the time needed by learners to identify a relevant learning object, using both interfaces; secondly, to examine learners' subjective satisfaction for both interfaces; and finally, to study the impact of task complexity on users' interaction with both interfaces. To facilitate the objectives of the study, twelve postgraduate students participated in a user study which employed a multi-method approach and involved observation of users' interactions, subjective satisfaction questionnaires and semi-structured int...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2007
• Where: ELPUB
• Authors: Panos Balatsoukas, Anne Morris, Ann O'Brien
• Keywords: ELPUB 2007, Information Management, Learning Objects, Metadata Surrogate Interface, Subjective Satisfaction