Courseware Evaluation 1999 - Summary

Methodology:


Within this study, consideration has been given to both designer controlled utilities and inherent courseware framework features. The WAI guidelines have been used to develop critieria and a weighting system for scoring.

Scoring:

  1. Accessibility: The sum of the scores for the Access Support, Information, and Courseware Components is reported as a raw Total Accessibility Score.
  2. Functionality: When a feature is supported in a product, its accessibility is analysed, and an addition is made to the functionality score for the product.
  3. Access Support Functionality Ratio: Because all programs or packages being assessed do not possess the same features, the integrated accessibility score has been related to functionality. The Access Support Functionality Ratio relates accessibility to the overall complexity of the product.

Results:

Web Course in a Box
Accessibility: 154
Access Support Functionality Ratio: .818
Strengths
  • high Access Support Functionality ratio
  • moderate functionality
  • includes text links

    • Weaknesses
  • missing ALT text on icons
  • help file support is weak
  • no information provided on accessibility
    • Top Class
    Accessibility: 172
    Access Support Functionality Ratio: .661
    Strengths
  • includes ALT text
  • ability to turn frames off
  • moderate functionality

    • Weaknesses
  • help file support is weak
  • no information provided on accessibility

    • Lotus Learning Space
    Accessibility: 238
    Access Support Functionality Ratio: .604
    Strengths
  • highly functional
  • some attention to accessibility

    • Weaknesses
  • no ALT text for default images/icons
  • partially framed navigation system
  • no information provided on accessibility in help files
    • Web Knowledge Forum
    Accessibility: 117
    Access Support Functionality Ratio: .558
    Strengths
  • uses text links
  • high functionality

    • Weaknesses
  • uses tables to format layout of text
  • long lists of links
  • no information provided on accessibility in help files
  • no ALT text (though images not critical)
    • Virtual-U
    Accessibility: 115
    Access Support Functionality Ratio: .556
    Strengths
  • ALT text provided on home page
  • some text links provided for navigation

    • Weaknesses
  • uses frames for all views
  • uses tables for complex home page layout
  • complex drop-down menus for viewing course components
  • no information provided on accessibility in help files
    • CourseInfo
    Accessibility: 107
    Access Support Functionality Ratio: .349
    Strengths
  • highly functional

    • Weaknesses
  • no ALT text provided
  • no alternative text links
  • extensive use of frames
  • uses tables to format a columnar layout of text
  • no information provided on accessibility in help files
    • WebCT
    Accessibility: 67
    Access Support Functionality Ratio: .257
    Strengths
  • highly functional in terms of creating a broad range of student tools
  • "work arounds" are possible to improve accessibility

    • Weaknesses
  • no ALT text for images/icons
  • framed navigation system
  • framed bulletin board system
  • java-based tools
  • no information provided on accessibility in help files