Quality of experience of online learning tools

Abstract

Online learning tools have become important components of teaching and course delivery. This paper discusses the issues surrounding research into Quality of Experience (QoE) for online learning tools and how it relates to technical performance, Quality of Service (QoS). The relationship between QoE and QoS for online learning tools is often considered important for describing the optimal conditions for online learning environments. Such research largely ignores the vital issue of how learners differ from consumers in their use of information and communication technologies such as interactive multimedia environments. The implication of this difference for understanding technology use for learning is presented and the need for an empirical study to address this is argued for. A pilot was undertaken to further define the methodological requirements of conducting a study into the impact of system performance on QoE. The findings of the pilot study describe issues and implications for designing a research methodology which can begin the process of mapping the QoE to QoS relationship for online learning.