| Introduction to Usability Testing |
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What is Usability?
The International Standards Organization (ISO) defines usability as the "extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a specified context of use" (ISO, 1998, p. 8). The ISO definition of usability includes four areas all relevant to determining the usability of a web site:
Effectiveness is a determination of whether or not users can complete a task accurately and completely using the web site. Efficiency looks at the amount of resources needed to complete the task effectively. Satisfaction is the user's feelings about the web site. The context of use is looking at the people who will use the product and the type of physical environment in which the product is used (Campbell, 2001).
Schneiderman (1987) offers a definition of usability that includes aspects relevant to learning systems: