Usability and user-centred design, a necessitiy for efficient e-learning!

The purpose of this paper is to give a review of the development and concept of usability and user centred design (UCD). It points out the development and benefits of usability and UCD and presents a case study when using this approach. It points out the principles of humancentred design, the main components and the five central activities that shall always take place during a human-centred design process. It reports a successful project, a prestudy for the Swedish Net University, using the user-centred approach. The pre-study was initiated with some overall requirements. • First, the process should encompass different stakeholders and different perspectives should be considered. • Second, it had to be conducted during a short period of time and was not allowed to become a "monstrous" government investigation ranging years. • Third, find solutions that avoided "reinventing the wheel", i.e., if possible find current systems or parts that could be purchased. • Fourth, students should be the most important user group. The approach with both a delegated decision-making process and a user-centred process, with numerous participants, has demonstrated several benefits that may be utilised in further work. • First, the big differences in the student population and how they conduct their studies. • Second, the value of participation and involvement cannot be stressed enough. • Third, the power of engagement and commitment has been demonstrated.. In summary, the user-centred design has provided sufficient tools to meet the challenging demands that the Swedish Net University Agency put on the pre-study.