The purpose of this research was to evaluate the Department of Education web site in terms of overall look and feel of the pages as well as provide recommendations for possible improvements in their design. This report contains a description of the evaluation procedure, general results and recommendations, as well as detailed comments on each page of the Department of Education website resulting from the heuristic evaluation. Each page was analyzed according to whether or not it is in accordance with each of ten guidelines for interface usability. The system should speak the users' language, with words, phrases, and concepts familiar to the user, rather than system-oriented terms. Follow real-world conventions, making information appear in a natural and logical order.
Support undo and redo.
Follow platform conventions. Make objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information from one part of the dialogue to another. Instructions for use of the system should be visible or easily retrievable whenever appropriate. Allow users to tailor frequent actions.