Research Information System
International Journal of Instructional Technology & Distance Learning , vol.7, no.10, pp.3-13, 2010 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
The research was conducted in two steps by means of evaluating educational websites as to visual
perception theories. The first step involved developing an evaluation form in concert with
designated visual perception theories. These theories are namely as; Gestalt Theory, Brunswik‘s
Probabilistic Functionalism, Marr‘s Computational Model of Vision, Neuropsychological Theory,
Constructivist Visual Perception Theory, Theory of Direct Perception and Ecological Optics. The
second step involved assessments of websites with educational contents by the use of that
evaluation form. The second step saw the analysis of 10 educational websites for primary school
level, with the use of ―Web based Evaluation Form for Educational Contexts‖, 5 of which were
developed in Turkish and another 5 in English. Assessment of the websites was carried out with
the participation of 16 field experts. Research exposed that analyzed websites had major
deficiencies in terms of their conformity to design principles. However, English websites received
higher scores from design principles as compared to Turkish sites. The research yielded some
critical conclusions through assessment of design principles employed up in the analyzed
websites as to selected dimensions, i.e. page layout, color, typography, visuals, animated
graphics, navigation and browsing, and content and functionality.
Keywords: perception, visual perception, web design, theories of visual perception.