Development of a WEB based instructional site for KTÜ BÖTEB and investigation of its usability

SUMMARY Development of a Web Based Instructional Site for KTÜ BÖTEB and Investigation of its Usability In this study, a web based instruction site for Computer and Instructional Technology Education Department in Karadeniz Technical University was developed. Firstly, academicians' and students' expectations and suggestions on the web based instruction site were determined. Secondly, the contents and security components of the site were formed and its design was made. At the end, the usability of the site was examined and necessary arrangements were made. For this purpose, case study method was used in the study. Before the design of the site, a needs analysis survey was prepared where 6 academicians and 145 students participated. According to the results of the survey, all of the academicians and most of the students believed in the necessity of a WBI site for the department. Through the expectations and suggestions of the academicians and students, the site which contained synchronous/asynchronous classroom, the messaging system, the homework / project system, various archives alternatives, academic forum parts was developed. In addition, a coding system which required the user name and key words to enter to the areas where the teaching and learning activities were made was added. While designing the site, ASP programming language and M.SQL Server database were used. At the stage of examining the usability of site, three usability tests which belong to the three different user interface were developed and applied to the 6 participants. At that time the participants were recorded by camera. At the end of the test, participants' written opinions about the site were taken with forms developed for three user interface. For tins aim, observation and interview methods were utilized, too. All the participants who joined to the usability tests declared positive ideas about the site. Finally, in order to remove the common problems where participants face with, needed arrangements were made. Key Words: Distance Education, Web Based Instruction, Computer and Instructional Technology Education Department VII