Walden's authoring tools: a usability evaluation

Abstract

Walden's Paths enables K-12 teachers to incorporate Web-based information in their curriculum. However, most information on the Web requires some tailoring or contextualization in order to adapt it for curricular purposes. An annotated list of Web resources with a common thread that binds them is called a Path. Walden's Paths' Path Server is a presentation tool for viewing Paths over the Web. It provides a means for guided exploratory learning where the students can start with pages on the path and browse the Web unhindered, with a facility to return to the path at will. Providing GUI support for authoring paths presents many issues. The changes in the Web, author skills and work practices necessitate the need for Authoring Tools that support the new paradigms. This thesis describes the development of a new generation of authoring tools for Walden's Paths. The new tools separate the process of authoring of paths from publishing of paths. Authoring involves creation of paths, while publishing involves making the authored paths accessible to the intended audience. This separation helps provide authoring support for users while they do not have access to a network connection. The PathAuthor is a network-independent, platform-independent stand-alone tool with minimal overhead. The PathPublisher is a CGI tool that can be accessed via the Web to publish paths. Usability evaluation of an application determines its efficiency, ease of use and learnability. The usability of the PathAuthor and PathPublisher was evaluated by a group of K-12 teachers. This thesis presents the results of this evaluation. The results are in three forms, observations made during the evaluation, questionnaires that were filled in by the teachers and views expressed by them during the discussion that was conducted after the evaluation. The thesis then outlines avenues for further development of the Walden's Authoring Tools.