Selecting usability evaluation methods (UEMs) to expose usability problems in e-learning programs is influenced by time, cost, ease of application, and efficiency. Heuristic evaluation has become a widely accepted method of usability evaluation in software development. This paper introduces Heuristic Evaluation for Child E-learning applications (HECE), a comprehensive set of heuristics for child e-learning along with a detailed explanation for the usability experts on how to apply them. These sets of heuristics are based on Nielsen’s original ten heuristics developed for software. Nielsen heuristics are basically generic, and might not encompass usability attributes specific to children or e-learning. The new HECE set would overcome these shortcomings. The validity and effectiveness of these heuristics were evaluated against two developed e-learning programs designed by ReDSOFT for KG-2 and special need students. The results indicated that HECE identified qualitative similarities and differences with user testing, and that HECE is best suited for evaluating general and child usability. Combined with user testing, HECE offers a new track that can assist in guiding the child e-learning industry to design applications that are both educational and pleasurable for children.

Heuristic evaluation has become widely accepted method of usability evaluation in software development. This paper introduces Heuristic Evaluation for Child E-learning applications (HECE), a comprehensive set of heuristics for child e-learning along with a detailed explanation for the usability experts on how to apply them. These sets of heuristics are based on Nielsen's original ten heuristic developed for software. Nielson heuristics are basically generic, and might not encompass usability attributes specific to children or e-learning. The new HECE set would overcome these shortcomings. The validity and effectiveness of these heuristics were evaluated against two developed e-learning programs designed by ReDSOFT 1 for KG-2 and special need students. The results indicated that HECE identified qualitative similarities and differences with user testing, and that HECE is best suited for evaluating general and child usability. Combined with user testing, HECE offers a new track that can assist in guiding the child e-learning industry to design applications that are both educational and pleasurable for children.

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Purpose -Interactive storytelling is a powerful tool for improving children's development of essential skills and general knowledge. As an informal learning method, interactive storytelling provides life experience and promotes the use of vocabulary and communication skills. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach -In this paper, a storytelling tool was developed to help kindergarteners create stories. This tool included an instrument used to measure four characteristics of four-to five-year-old children: general knowledge, creativity, self-confidence and between the children and the technology to assess a child's progress. Moreover, there is a pressing need to better understand and improve upon this educational innovation. Therefore, this paper proposed the child interactive storytelling (CIS) framework. Findings -The developed interactive storytelling tool helped instructors as well as parents to perceive the child's progress through multiple use of the tool. Experiments indicated that teachers' evaluations of their children with those measured from the developed tool were aligned which indicates that the interactive storytelling tool is valid. Moreover, the proposed CIS framework for formalizing the design of interactive storytelling tools can be used in educational interventions for children. Originality/value -The proposed CIS framework can guide both research and practice in the design, development and evaluation of effective and useful CIS environments.

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