Users’ Preferences for Pedagogical e-Content: A Utility/Usability Survey on the Greek Illustrated Science Dictionary for School

Abstract

This chapter draws on empirical data from a web questionnaire developed to evaluate the utility and usability of ELeFyS, an e-Content/online dictionary for the integrated approach of language and Science within the plurilingual classroom. An 11-item questionnaire was developed and distributed to 84 informants (in-service and future teachers and primary school students) in school and university settings of Northern Greece. The data collected were both quantitative and qualitative: each quantifiable item scored on a 5-point Likert scale, and it was followed by an open-ended question where the users justified their selected score. All 11 items were grouped within 3 factors. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine the factor structure (construct validity). The instrument’s reliability was examined by internal consistency. For the data analysis, comparisons between groups were made by means of nonparametric statistics. The results confirm the model’s goodness of fit, and they reveal its high reliability. They also advocate the participants’ positive view of ELeFyS. At the same time, they reveal the necessity to establish an e-dictionary/e-Content culture and to adopt an expanded notion of scientific literacy in the Greek school practice.