A Usability Evaluation of MOODLE-LMS from the Student Perspective

Abstract

The increasing adoption of advanced learning technologies has prompted universities to implement robust Learning Management Systems (LMS) to enhance teaching and learning processes. LMSs provide students with timely access to educational resources, accommodate individual learning differences, and facilitate interaction with instructors. Among these systems, MOODLE�a widely used, open-source LMS�stands out. This study developed a usability model to evaluate the MOODLE LMS at the University of Science and Technology (UST) in Yemen from the students� perspective, based on ISO 9241-11 and other heuristic frameworks. A questionnaire was distributed to 250 UST students, yielding 161 valid responses (64%). After analyzing the collected data, the results indicated that the five usability dimensions�visual design, help and support, user control, efficiency of use, and learnability�were significantly associated with overall usability. In contrast, the two dimensions of collaborative learning and motivation to learn showed lower levels of support for LMS usability. The study recommends proposing enhancements to improve e-learning, applying the findings to support LMS development, and conducting further research on other LMSs, user profiles, environments (e.g., mobile/web), and advanced functionalities to evaluate usability comprehensively.