A Multi-Component Model for Assessing Learning Objects:

The Learning Object Evaluation Metric (LOEM)
by Dr. Robin Kay & Dr. Liesel Knaack

Appendix B - Learning Object Evaluation Metric

A. Interactivity

1.       Meaningful Interactions

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2

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q      Interactions with the learning object are meaningful and permit the user to have a much greater understanding of the concept/topic than he/she would have if she used a text based medium

q      Interactions with the learning object are somewhat meaningful and provide something more than a text based medium

q      Interactions with the learning object are not very meaningful/gratuitous/minimal and are not significantly better than a text-based medium

2.       Overall Control

The user has:

q      Ability to move through instructional elements at own speed

q      Ability to redo or relearn component before moving on

q      Ability to make choice about the paths to take so that one can progress at own learning level

Score

3    if all 3 items are checked

2    if 2 items are checked

1    if 0-1 items are checked

 

 

3.       Multimedia adds learning value

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2

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q      The multimedia content (e.g., graphics, animations, video, audio) of the learning object adds significantly to the learning process

q      The multimedia content (e.g., graphics, animations, video, audio) of the learning object adds something to the learning process

q      The multimedia content (e.g., graphics, animations, video, audio) of the learning object adds little to the learning process

 


 

B. Design

1.       Consistency (Pages have consistent look and feel)

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q      All/most pages have a consistent look and feel to it.

q      Some pages have a consistent look and feel to it.

q      Few/no pages have a consistent look and feel to it.

q      Text and visual components are in a consistent location always.

q      Text and visual components are in a consistent location sometimes.

q      Text and visual components are in a consistent location rarely/never.

2.       Layout (Clear and well organized)

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2

1

q      The organization of most/all pages is clear

q      The organization of some pages is clear

q      The organization of few/no pages is clear

q      The pages are not at all cluttered.

q      The pages are somewhat cluttered

q      The pages are very cluttered

q      All page components are well placed and easy to see

q      Some page components are well placed and easy to see

q      Few/No page components are well placed and easy to see

3.       Labeling
(title on menu buttons, words on clickable buttons, any labels used to guide navigation)

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2

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q      Navigation labels are very clear

q      Navigation labels are somewhat clear

q      Navigation labels are confusing

q      All/Most navigation labels are easily understood by the user

q      Some navigation labels are easily understood by the user

q      Few/No labels are easily understood by the user

 

4.       Readability (Look of text)

The text has:

q      Text is easy to read (e.g., good font size and type, clear, not fuzzy)

q      Contrast between text and background is easy to read

q      Text is presented in short, concise segments

q      White space is used effectively

 

Score

3    if 4 items are checked

2    if 2-3 items are checked

1    if 0-1 items are checked

 

 

 

 


 

C. Engagement

1.       Quality of Feedback
(refers to feedback given to user to help him/her progress through the learning object)

The feedback is:

q      an appropriate amount for the user (not too much or too little)

q      well written with appropriate language for user

q      appears when necessary and gives user adequate direction and information for progressing

 

Score

3    if all 3 items are checked

2    if 2  items are checked

1    if 0-1 items are checked

 

 

2.       Attractive (Has modern, appealing look)

The learning object has:

q      Attractive select of colours

q      No long scrolling pages

q      Easy to read text

q      Attractive graphics

q      Modern interface

q      Looks like it was professional done

Score

3    if 5- 6 items are checked

2    if 3-4 items are checked

1    if 0-2 items are checked

 

3.       Graphics (Not Video)

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2

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q      Graphics images are high quality  with respect to resolution, size, and accuracy

q      Graphics images are moderate quality with respect to resolution, size, and accuracy

q      Graphics images are low quality with respect to resolution, size, and accuracy

4.       Learning Mode

The learning object includes:

q      videos

q      animations

q      audio

q      written text, hands

q      static graphical representations

 

Score

3    if all 4-5 items are checked

2    if 3  items are checked

1    if 0-2 items are checked

 

 

5.       Motivation

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2

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q      Learning object interactions/theme/goals/tasks would be very motivating/engaging for designated grade level

q      Learning object interactions/theme/goals/tasks would be somewhat motivating/engaging for the designated grade level

q      Learning object interactions/theme/goals/tasks would not be motivating/engaging for the designated grade level

     

 


 

D. Usability

1.       Natural to Use (intuitiveness of the interface, easy of use)

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q      The tools for the user to control the interactive components are natural, make sense, are easy to find on the screen and natural to use

q      The tools for the user to control the interactive components are somewhat natural, make some sense, are somewhat easy to find on the screen and are sometimes natural to use

q      The tools for the user to control the interactive components are not natural, do not make much sense, are not easy to find on the screen and rarely/not natural to use

2.       Orientation (Does the user know where he/she is at all times?)

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2

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q      The user knows where they are at all times

q      The user knows where they are at some of the time

q      The user rarely/never knows where they are.

q      Sufficient orienting features like breadcrumb navigation, menu highlighting, appropriate page titles, home, exit, previous, next buttons are present

q      Some orienting features like breadcrumb navigation, menu highlighting, appropriate page titles, home, exit, previous, next buttons are present, but not enough

q      Few/no orienting features like breadcrumb navigation, menu highlighting, appropriate page titles, home, exit, previous, next buttons are present

q      Orienting features are in the same spot always

q      Orienting features are in the same spot sometimes

q      Orienting features are not in a consistent location

3.       Navigation Cues (breadcrumb paths, page numbering, coloured buttons to indicate change of state, pop-up boxes or mouseovers)

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q      A sufficient number of navigation cues are present

q      Some navigational cues are present but more are needed

q      Few/No navigational cues are present

4.       Instructions

3 (Must have both for a 3)

2

1 (if confusing then give a 1)

q      The instructions are very clear ( well written, concise and easily understood)
OR

q      There are no instructions, but it is obvious what needs to be done

q      The instructions are somewhat clear (fairly well written, a  bit long and fairly easy to understand but some confusion in spots)

      OR

q      Some instructions are present, but more need to be added

q      The instructions are confusing
OR

q      The instructions are absent, but need to be added

q      Text and visual components are in a consistent location always.

q      Text and visual components are in a consistent location sometimes.

q      Text and visual components are in a consistent location rarely/never.

5.       Appropriate Language Level  (appropriate for the user)

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2

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q      The language (words used, vocabulary, sentence structure)  is appropriate for the age , reading level and interests of the expected users all/most of the time

q      The language (words used, vocabulary, sentence structure)  is appropriate for the age , reading level and interests of the expected users some of the time

q      The language (words used, vocabulary, sentence structure)  is appropriate for the age , reading level and interests of the expected users rarely/ none of the time