A usabilidade e acessibilidade de um ambiente virtual de aprendizagem com foco no usuário idoso: uma verificação ergonômica do Moodle

Abstract

Introduction: the elderly population has, in general, physical, physiological and cognitive characteristics that hinder interaction with products and electronic/digital systems, particularly those available in virtual environments. Since distance education and learning has expanded considerably, reaching the most different audiences and regions, this article aims to identify recommendations of usability and accessibility for the elderly users at the AVA/Moodle of Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Santa Catarina (IFSC). Method: the research consisted of four steps: 1) literature search about recommendations for usability and accessibility; 2) heuristic evaluation of the IFSC Moodle; 3) identification of characteristics and consequences of aging that could influence the use of Moodle for the elderly population; and, 4) discussion of usability and accessibility recommendations for the ISFC/Moodle centered on the elderly user. Results: The recommendations are related to the features and the problems of usability and accessibility detected in the heuristic evaluation and the characteristics and consequences of aging. Conclusion: the usability and accessibility proposals may assist in the digital inclusion of the elderly, assisting their learning and use of the environment, thereby promoting the effectiveness of a distance education as well as widening the use of the system by the elderly public.

Keywords

• usabilidade
• acessibilidade
• ambiente virtual de aprendizagem (ava)
• educação inclusiva
• idosos
• instituto federal de educação, ciência e tecnologia de santa catarina (ifsc)