Isolation and distinctiveness in the design of e-learning systems influence user preferences     

Hosam Al-Samarraie  Hassan Selim  Timothy Teo  Fahed Zaqout 《Interactive Learning Environments》2017,25(4):452-466

When faced with excessive detail in an online environment, typical users have difficulty processing all the elements of representation. This in turn creates cognitive overload, which narrows the user's focus to a few select items. In the context of e-learning, we translated this aspect as the learner's demand for a system that facilitates the retrieval of learning content – one in which the representation is easy to read and understand. We hypothesized that the representation of content in an e-learning system's design is an important antecedent for learner preferences. The aspects of isolation and distinctiveness were incorporated into the design of e-learning representation as an attempt to promote student cognition. Following its development, the model was empirically validated by conducting a survey of 300 university students. We found that isolation and distinctiveness in the design elements appeared to facilitate the ability of students to read and remember online learning content. This in turn was found to drive user preferences for using e-learning systems. The findings provide designers with managerial insights for enticing learners to continue using e-learning systems.  相似文献   

The effect of content representation design principles on users’ intuitive beliefs and use of e-learning systems     

Hosam Al-Samarraie  Hassan Selim  Fahed Zaqout 《Interactive Learning Environments》2016,24(8):1758-1777

A model is proposed to assess the effect of different content representation design principles on learners’ intuitive beliefs about using e-learning. We hypothesized that the impact of the representation of course contents is mediated by the design principles of alignment, quantity, clarity, simplicity, and affordance, which influence the learner’s intuitive beliefs about using e-learning systems. The model was empirically validated using data collected from a survey administered to university students. This study demonstrates that these design principles are essential predictors of learners’ intuitive beliefs, which in turn directly influence their decisions about using e-learning systems. The findings provide system designers with quasi-quantitative managerial insights into how to motivate users to continue using e-learning systems.  相似文献   

America,America: National Identity,Presidential Debates,and National Mood     

Penelope Sheets  David S. Domke  Christopher Wells  Colin J. Lingle  Amanda Ballantyne  Fahed Al-Sumait 《Mass Communication and Society》2013,16(6):765-786

In their public messages, United States politicians often invoke America in an attempt to unite citizens and build electoral coalitions. Such an emphasis is particularly common in presidential debates, which are climactic “media events” late in campaigns for the White House, when candidates take questions from journalists and citizens while addressing millions of voters. We analyzed the connection between (a) candidates' highlighting of national identity in presidential debates and (b) mass public opinion since 1960. We expected and found that (a) candidates increased their emphasis on the nation during times of heightened national uncertainty, (b) Democratic presidential candidates invoked the nation more often than Republican candidates, and (c) comparisons across elections among incumbents suggest that national uncertainty was more important than partisan identity in eliciting invocations of the nation.  相似文献