Work

Assessing Accessibility in MOOCs: A Comparison of Moodle and Coursera for Users with Hearing Impairments, Visual Impairments, and the Elderly

Year: 2025

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: With technological advancements, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have become widely adopted, supporting course management and content delivery. However, many platforms still face accessibility challenges due to inconsistent adherence to guidelines. This study evaluates the accessibility of Moodle and Coursera using WCAG 2.0, the WAVE tool, and Nielsen’s Heuristics. A mixed-methods approach combines qualitative and quantitative analyses. Results show that while Moodle demonstrates better overall accessibility, Coursera is more suitable for elderly and visually impaired users. This research contributes to digital accessibility and offers practical recommendations to enhance inclusion in MOOCs.

DOI: 10.5753/wei.2025.8486

Authors: Mariana H. K. Sato, Felippe F. da Silva, Aline M. M. M. Amaral, Gislaine C. L. Leal, Guilherme C. Guerino, Renato Balancieri

Institution: Universidade Estadual do Paraná

Language: English

Topic: Digital Accessibility for Disabilities

Subfield: Human Factors and Ergonomics

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Funder: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Award: G29316538