Usability and meeting the needs of educational Web site users

Karey Patterson, School of Social Science, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia, 2480. Email: kpatte10@scu.edu.au

Allan Ellis, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Science, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia, 2480. Email: aellis@scu.edu.au

Keywords

Usability, Online Education, Web Site Management, Australian University Web Site Managers, Interviews, Best practice, Educational Web Sites.

Abstract

The research discussed in this paper involved analysis of 134 user tests that were conducted on Australian university Web Sites (N=44).   Between 3 and 5 users tests for each individual university Web site were performed.   The analysis identified that there were some significant relationships between usability scores and Web site features such as search function, clearly targeted information for research, past students and feedback facility areas.   The analysis also reinforced the relationship between Web site accessibility and usability and raises important issues for the management of university Web sites.