Heuristic evaluation of persuasive systems; the case of educational programs

The evaluation of persuasive systems is a time-consuming and expensive endeavor. In the area of human-computer interaction, Heuristic Evaluation was suggested as an inexpensive alternative method for evaluating the usability of software. This paper examines the use of Heuristic Evaluation as a means to evaluate the persuasive power of software systems. A heuristic evaluation of the persuasive power of two educational programs used in school was performed. The heuristics used were operationalized versions of well-known persuasive principles. The evaluation indicated that both programs have persuasive power. This result was in agreement with an expert's experience of the programs. The study shows that our heuristics can be used in a summative heuristic evaluation of persuasive power of educational systems.

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