Help or hindrance? : an investigation into learning through web interfaces

Abstract

A usability study was designed with these issues in mind, to determine the influence of interface design on learning in an educational institution in Namibia. A pilot study identified obstacles and served to enhance the main study in which two web interfaces were used; one poorly designed and one well-designed. Learners from the institution were recorded during their interaction with the websies and then assessed for learning achievement. The results indicated that interface design can influence learning. However, research with a larger sample is necessary to fully understand the cultural and characteristic influences of Namibia's learners on reading and writing using the web.