Websites of learning support in primary and high school in Portugal: A performance and usability study

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the quality of educational websites focused on learning support of two degrees of education, Primary School and the High school. To develop this analysis was used a Model of Evaluation of the Quality of Educational Websites (EQEWS). This Model divided into Functional Aspects, with five criteria: Authority, Update, Usability, Accessibility and Communication; and in Technical and Aesthetic Aspects, with five criteria: Graphic Design and Multimedia Quality, Content, Navigation, Speed of Access and Interaction. This model of evaluation applied to 57 websites, according to the Likert scale of 0 to 4. The data subjected to statistical analysis with the support of computer calculation tool SPSS, version 23. Through this exploratory study concluded that educational websites that had better ranking with higher average values were affected by High School sites. We conclude that the creators of these resources aren't conscience of the importance to assess their resources from heuristics evaluation, even before putting them on the Internet. It was noted the failure of the functional and technical requirements for who conceives, publishes and maintains their content online, often for lack of knowledge in handling these new technologies.