Evaluation of a Web-based learning environment for Hands-on experimentation

The evaluation of learning environments depends highly on the evaluation instruments used and on the position of the evaluation in the design cycle. In this article, we present a use-case report of a summative evaluation of a Web-based learning environment for engineering education that allows small groups of students to conduct hands-on experimentation sessions with local and remote access to laboratory devices. This use-case illustrates an evaluation methodology based on a choice of usability engineering methods. In particular, we define specific metrics that take into account students’ interactions with some of the components of the environment. The metrics defined can easily be extended to any e-learning project involving production and sharing of artifacts in a shared workspace. The methodology is illustrated with the results of a preliminary evaluation with 30 students.