Usability Heuristic Evaluation of Mobile Learning Applications Based on the Usability Design Model for Adult Learners

Adult ownership of mobile devices has exploded over the past few years, and smartphones and tablets have become vital for communication, productivity, entertainment, and learning. Some common problems adults face are that they find it difficult to use new technology-based apps because many devices are small. Tasks on new technology-based apps take longer to complete. Therefore, the usability design model for adult learners has been proposed. The objective of this study is to evaluate the usability design model for adult learners and whether the applications containing the model components will affect the satisfaction of adult learners. The evaluation was based on the heuristics guidelines by Nielsen and has been modified and mapped with the seven components in the model. Two existing mobile learning (m-learning) applications (Duolingo and Lingualia) from the Play Store have been chosen for this evaluation. The results indicate that Duolingo has an overall satisfaction mean score of 4.38 compared to Lingualia, where the score is only 2.43. Duolingo meets most of the model's criteria and can score a higher satisfaction mean score. This indicated that the seven components play important roles in contributing to satisfaction among adult learners.