Evaluation of interaction design in web-based intelligent tutoring systems

Regardless of so much publicity and activity, the progress in the field of e-learning has been very slow with related problems mostly associated with poor design of e-learning systems. Moreover, due to a low perceived importance of usability, carrying out usability studies in this area is not very frequent, despite the significant role of usability evaluation. The paper emphasizes the central role of user interface design in e-learning systems, targeting the improvement of the learning experience and the increase of a system's intelligent behaviour as well. The evaluation techniques used for the assessment of operational Web-based system for intelligent tutoring, as well as the evaluation procedure along with the achieved results is introduced. This usability study enabled us to focus on the design of usable interactive learning environments and systems for intelligent tutoring, since it is a known fact that so far the focus was more on the technology and not on user-centred aspects