Study on usability and perception of effectiveness in the programa hero modules

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ITC) have brought about major changes in countless areas, as they have allowed for the inclusion of technology in education and have created new labor methodologies. In this context, Mesurado et al. (2018) have developed the online program Hero, the fi rst web application aimed at promoting prosocial behavior and socio-emotional variables among adolescents. Given that the Hero program is new, investigating its usability is of great interest. Thus, the aims of this article are 1). To study users' perception of the effectiveness of each of the Hero program modules in the promotion of prosocial behavior, empathy, gratitude, forgiveness, and satisfaction; and 2). To analyze the users' opinions on the general characteristics of the program by identifying which activities they liked best and those which they did not like. The sample included 158 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 (M = 14.90; DE = 1.58, 54% women), from a middle socioeconomic status. The results indicate that there is an irregular but progressive growth in all variables promoted by the Hero program. Moreover, the program was highly acceptable to the adolescents who participated in the intervention.