What Makes a Digital Language Learning Platform Work? A Usability and Quality Review

Abstract

Due to the escalating usage of the internet and digital applications in recent years, foreign language learning experiences has become easier, simpler, and more fun for users. Consequently, to maintain those factors, usability and the quality of the platform are two main concerns for platform developers. To provide a personalized, structured, and gamified platform that offers opportunities for social interaction among users, researchers developed a digital language learning platform in middle of 2020. In 2021, the platform was tested on 3200 students who provided feedback on its usability through System Usability Scale. In addition, a small group of students were involved in an FGD session where they shared their experiences in using the platform. The usability test of the platform scored at 58, which implied that the platform still has some room for improvement. Through the FGD session, users could find information and functions related to the application easily and they expressed satisfaction toward the platform's performance and valued the feedback opportunities. This research contributes to the field of a digital language learning platform development, especially when it is used by the students of higher education who wish to improve their foreign language mastery conveniently.