An Exploratory Study to Assess the Usability of a Groupware with Multi-Agent Systems

This Research Full Paper presents a pedagogical approach to evaluate a virtual platform for teaching robotics at a distance. The virtual environment was developed using the principles of Collaborative Learning. This virtual platform, called groupware, should facilitate interaction between those involved in the teaching and learning process, whether the student or the teacher. In this research, we will use Educational Robotics as a mediating tool in the teaching and learning process, because it has become a powerful tool that has stimulated the acquisition of knowledge in computing. In the groupware used in this research, Multi-Agent Systems were used to collaborate with teachers in the management of activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functionality and usability of this virtual environment. A qualitative, exploratory research was used and to assess the usability of this virtual environment, the usability evaluation techniques were used with the Syetem Usabily Scale metric, and the technique of evaluation of feelings through EmoCards. Ten computer teachers participated in this research, with training and specializations in the areas of computing. Collaborative Learning was used as a focus for solving the tasks proposed for this research. The results showed that the participants evaluated the groupware with great potential to collaborate in robotics teaching and with content appropriate to the students' initial level of learning. The teachers' perceptions regarding the usability of the evaluated groupware revealed that it is favorable in the teaching of robotics and allowed an analysis of the importance of collaborative learning in the educational environment, directly impacting their ways of conducting learning.