Sallam A user satisfaction approach to multimodal interfaces for note - taking

the comparative study described in this paper to investigate the use of multimodal metaphors in interface of e-learning application. The primary focus is to present and discuss the experimental results related to users’ views and evaluation of individual avatar and recording video used in the experimental elearning tools. This investigation involved two different interface versions of the experimental e-learning tool. The first interface platform (the textual interface) was based on three input modalities, namely text, graphics, and images and was used to deliver information about note-taking. The second experimental platform developed for this investigation was based on visual and auditory metaphors. This platform interface (the multimodal interface) consisted of the three input modalities as well, including; speech, video, and avatar to deliver the same information. This was in a different type of windows for example login, select, optional menu, and assists or word help. The aim of this study is to provide a general guideline for Learning Software developers to help developing multimodal interfaces in order to enhance software usability and provide more information in learning interfaces. The results obtained from this investigation have shown that the multimodal e-learning interface increased the level of usability as users took significantly less time to complete the given tasks, performed successfully in a higher number of tasks and were more satisfied than when using the textual interface. Also, the results indicate that users much preferred the video as a choice of input modality, while avatar was the second most preferred option for representing information. These input modalities could be used to improve the appeal of note taking which in turn will be reflected in increasing users’ motivation and interest in the presented learning material. Keywords— E-learning, Usability, User interface, Multimodal Interaction. Manuscript received February 25, 2010; Mohamed Sallam is with the Department of Media Technology, De Montfort University The Gateway Leicester, LE1 9BH UK, BD7 1DP UK (e-mail: [email protected]). Professor Dimitrios Rigas Head of Department of Media Technology. De Montfort University The Gateway Leicester, LE1 9BH UK +44 (0) 116 257 7485, email: [email protected]).