The Effects of Information Architecture and Atmosphere Style on the Usability of an Ecology Education Website

Authors:
Chao-Jen Ku;Ji-Liang Doong;Li-Chieh Chen
Affiliations:
Department of Visual Design, Hsuan Chuang University, Hsinchu, Taiwan 300 and Graduate Institute in Design Science, Tatung University, Taipei, Taiwan 104;Graduate Institute in Design Science, Tatung University, Taipei, Taiwan 104;Department of Media Design, Tatung University, Taipei, Taiwan
Venue:
HCD 09 Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Human Centered Design: Held as Part of HCI International 2009
Year:
2009

Citing 4
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Abstract

Ecology education is an important issue nowadays. But not everyone has equal opportunities to learn relevant topics through direct access to the great nature. In such a case, the platform of Web becomes the potential channel for people to learn ecological topics. Therefore, the key to success is to enhance the platform so that the performance is close to that of experiencing the great nature in person. In this study, expert interview was first conducted. The participants pointed out the differences in information architectures, atmosphere styles, the differences in learners' backgrounds were important factors needed to be considered while designing such a system. Therefore, several experiment websites were constructed based on different atmosphere styles. The results revealed that there were significant differences in browsing behaviors and the usability of websites between people from rural and urban. Websites with breadth architecture and natural atmosphere could reduce user's pressure and perceived workload.