Development of design criteria and evaluation scale for web-based learning platforms

Standardized and objective design criteria for evaluating web-based learning platforms can effectively distinguish the quality of a platform and, therefore, contribute in improving web-based learning outcomes. This is a two-phase study, in which Delphi technique and heuristic evaluation were employed in the first phase to develop the evaluation criteria and scale of web-based learning platforms; in the second phase, questionnaire survey, real online evaluation, and experts' analyses were used to analyze the reliability and validity of the developed scale. Contributions of this study include (1) providing an example of developing evaluation criteria for web-based learning platforms via a standardized procedure; (2) developing a reliable and valid scale for evaluating web-based learning platforms; and (3) establishing a basis for guiding and evaluating the design of a web-based learning platform, as well as enhancing the quality and development of a web-based learning environment. Relevance to industry This study provides objective criteria for designing a web-based learning platform. It also provides an evaluation scale using a standardized development procedure. The results of this study could contribute to enhancing the quality of a web-based learning environment.