Improving user experience in e-learning, the case of the open university of Catalonia

Abstract

E-Learning, or online learning, seems to have been stalled in the past. As we look at the different learning management systems used by educational institutions worldwide, it becomes obvious that the designs of the learning interfaces look more like instruction booklets and manuals and less like interactive and exciting environments through which to foster learning. The following paper presents the work being carried out by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, UOC (a.k.a. Open University of Catalonia), in their commitment to radically change the way the internet is used for learning in higher educational institutions. In order to go along with students' practices and realities, and taking full advantage of what the web offers. The UOC is working toward creating new online spaces where students can encounter richer and more engaging and emotionally fulfilling experiences. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.