Analysis of an Educational Software for language learning: insights from the Theory of Structural Cognitive Modifiability and Human-Computer Interaction

Abstract

The aim of the study is to analyze a software for teaching English as a foreign language reporting (i) the interaction between the software and the learner; (ii) the cognitive/mental operations required to perform the tasks in software and (iii) the pedagogical strategies implemented by the software. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) aspects of the software were also analyzed so as to evaluate its degree of interactiveness and usability (Ergolist, 2011). Results of the study suggest that the software is content-oriented and the ergonomic analysis revealed that the didactic resources applied by the software meet most usability criteria, requiring few modifications.