An Examination of Usability of a Virtual Environment for Students Enrolled in a College of Agriculture

Autor/inn/en	Murphrey, Theresa Pesl; Rutherford, Tracy A.; Doerfert, David L.; Edgar, Leslie D.; Edgar, Don W.
Titel	An Examination of Usability of a Virtual Environment for Students Enrolled in a College of Agriculture
Quelle	In: Journal of Agricultural Education, 55 (2014) 4, S.38-52 (15 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1042-0541
Schlagwörter	Usability; Virtual Classrooms; Agricultural Colleges; Agricultural Education; Educational Technology; Computer Simulation; Computer Software Evaluation; Questionnaires; Qualitative Research; Statistical Surveys; Pretesting; Observation; Focus Groups; Participant Satisfaction; Teaching Methods; Technology Uses in Education; Technology Integration; Student Attitudes; Change Strategies; Feasibility Studies; Technology Planning; Likert Scales; Pretests Posttests; United States + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Landwirtschaftliche Fakultät; Landwirtschaftliche Hochschule; Agriculture; Education; Landwirtschaftliche Ausbildung; Landwirtschaft; Ausbildung; Unterrichtsmedien; Computergrafik; Computersimulation; Softwareanalyse; Fragebogen; Qualitative Forschung; Statistische Erhebung; Vortest; Beobachtung; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Technology enhanced learning; Technology aided learning; Technologieunterstütztes Lernen; Schülerverhalten; Lösungsstrategie; Likert-Skala; USA
Abstract	Educational technology continues to expand with multi-user virtual environments (e.g., Second Life™) being the latest technology. Understanding a virtual environment's usability can enhance educational planning and effective use. Usability includes the interaction quality between an individual and the item being assessed. The purpose was to assess the usability of "AgriCulture Island" in Second Life™ to identify possible issues, understand of the severity of these issues, and how they could be effectively addressed in order to use Second Life™ as a teaching tool. The framework allowed the identification of constructs that further defined usability related to assessing a virtual environment. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed including pre/post questionnaires, observations, and a focus group session. The study engaged 12 participants during summer 2012 from a college of agriculture. Findings revealed that participants accepted Second Life™ more after initial exposure. Additionally, participants indicated the experience felt "real" and they could sense others in the environment. Observation data provided a picture of participant interaction with the virtual environment. Elements documented were assistance needs, satisfaction, confusion, and deviation from task. The importance of understanding educational technology usability cannot be underestimated. This study adds to the educational technology literature and provides recommendations for use. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	American Association for Agricultural Education. P.O. Box 7607, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, Raleigh, NC 27695. Web site: http://www.aaaeonline.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01