Miscellaneous

When a digital learning platform is designed for adults aged 55 and over, usability is not just a technical concern — it is central to whether the platform works at all. If people find a system confusing, frustrating, or difficult to navigate, they are unlikely to engage with it, regardless of how strong the content may be. This is why the BonJour! Project team chose to evaluate the platform using one of the most established methods in the field: the System Usability Scale, or SUS.

What is the System Usability Scale?

The SUS is a standardised questionnaire that has been used in usability research for decades. It consists of ten short statements about a system — covering aspects such as ease of use, consistency, learnability, and user confidence. Participants respond on a five-point scale, ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”. The responses are then converted into a single score between 0 and 100.

Scores above 68 are considered above average. Scores above 80 indicate very good usability, and scores approaching or exceeding 90 are regarded as excellent — placing a system in the top tier of comparable digital tools.

How the evaluation was carried out

A total of 30 participants took part in the evaluation across five modules of the BonJour! platform. The questionnaire was administered in German, maintaining the language of the training programme. After completing each module, participants answered the ten SUS questions, allowing the team to assess usability not just for the platform as a whole, but for each module individually.

What the results show

The results are encouraging across the board. The overall mean SUS score for the platform was 84.8 out of 100, placing it firmly in the “very good” range and close to the threshold that benchmarks describe as excellent.

Looking at the individual modules, a clear pattern emerges. Module 1 — the entry point to the course — achieved a score of 76.3. While this is still a good result, it is the lowest of the five modules. This is not surprising: first encounters with a new platform often require more orientation, and users naturally need some time to familiarise themselves with the structure and navigation. The scores then rise consistently, with Module 2 reaching 83.3, Module 5 84.2, and Module 4 an impressive 89.6.

The standout result belongs to Module 3 — Analyse! Truth? — which achieved a mean SUS score of 91.9. This places it in the “excellent” category and suggests that the module’s design, structure, and interaction flow were particularly well received. It represents a best-practice example within the course and offers useful insights for further development of other modules.

What participants said, in numbers

At the level of individual questionnaire items, participants rated the platform particularly highly for ease of use, the quality of integrated functions, and how quickly they were able to learn to use the system. User confidence while navigating the platform was also notably high. Minor variation appeared in responses related to the need for technical support and the perception of consistency — areas that are worth monitoring in future iterations, though they do not indicate any systematic problem.

What this means in practice

A SUS score of 84.8 is a strong result for any digital platform. For a learning tool aimed specifically at adults who may have varying levels of digital experience, it is particularly meaningful. It suggests that the BonJour! platform is accessible, intuitive, and well-structured — and that most users can engage with it without significant barriers.

Usability of this standard supports not only a positive user experience, but also the educational goals of the project. When a platform is easy to use, learners can focus on what matters: the content, the activities, and the skills they are developing. The BonJour! evaluation results suggest the platform is delivering on that promise.

Further reading: SUS explained simply

The System Usability Scale (SUS) is a short, standardised questionnaire used to measure how easy a system is to use. It consists of ten statements — five positive and five negative — which users rate on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).

The responses are converted into a single score between 0 and 100. This score reflects the overall usability of a system as perceived by its users. It does not measure technical performance, but captures how confident, comfortable, and in control users feel when interacting with the system.

Scores are interpreted against established benchmarks:

• Below 68 — below average; improvements are needed
• 68–79 — good; the system performs adequately
• 80–89 — very good; users find the system largely intuitive
• 90–100 — excellent; the system is considered best-in-class

SUS is widely used in usability research because it is quick to complete, easy to analyse, and produces reliable results even with small groups of participants. It can be applied to any system — digital or physical — and is particularly useful for comparing usability across different versions or modules of a product.

On June 10^th, 2025, a successful training course for media educators took place in Wiener Neustadt as part of the BonJour! project. The course followed a Flipped Learning 3.0 model and combined self-directed online preparation with face-to-face group activities. Participants prepared using a low-threshold multimedia learning platform, designed to meet the needs of adult learners, especially those working with older adults.

The training focused on five key modules:

1. Adult Learning and Andragogy
2. Media Literacy Essentials
3. Digital Storytelling with Older Adults
4. Tools & Didactics for Teaching
5. Assessment and Empowerment

The total course duration was 25 hours, consisting of 20 hours of distance learning and 5 hours of in-person instruction. All participants were qualified teachers in either school education or adult education.

Trainers

The training was led by Peter Mazohl, a recognised expert in Flipped Learning 3.0 and adult education, and Harald Makl, a specialist in media education and an experienced adult trainer. Their complementary expertise ensured a high-quality, practice-oriented learning experience.

Training content (for media educators)

Each module was aligned with specific learning outcomes and elements of the DigComp 2.2 framework. The training content covered inclusive tools, interactive methods, digital storytelling techniques, and reflective assessment strategies. Learner performance was evaluated using an action research approach, and participants received a certificate based on Micro-Credentials upon successful completion.

The training was met with highly positive feedback, confirming the relevance, accessibility, and practical value of the course for teaching professionals.

Further reading on Flipped Learning

• Flipped Learning 3.0 Manifesto: An Approach to Learning in Adult Education, P. Mazohl, H. Makl (2024), ISBN-13: 979-8341099272
• Flipped Learning 3.0: The Operating System for the Future of Talent Development, English Edition by Mr Jon Bergmann (Author), Mr Errol St. Clair Smith (Author), ISBN-13: 978-0999139707
• Flipped Instructional Design. PDF document.
  Download: https://www.digicompass.eu/downloads/
• Flipped Adult Education (German Edition): PDF document.
  Download: https://www.fade-in.eu/web/de/the-projects-results/the-flipped-learning-guide/

About the BonJour! Project

The BonJour Project addresses the urgent need to strengthen media literacy among adults aged 55 and above. In an age where disinformation and misinformation pose serious risks to democracy, public health, security, and social cohesion, it is essential to empower all citizens – including older adults – with the skills to critically navigate digital content.

People over 55 are often excluded from formal education and workforce training opportunities. This leaves many without the media literacy and digital competencies required to actively participate in today’s digital society. As a result, they are particularly vulnerable to online manipulation and often face ageist portrayals in the media.

BonJour seeks to bridge this gap by offering tailored media education that includes training in media literacy and journalism. These skills enable older adults to better distinguish between fact and fiction, communicate effectively, and advocate for their rights and interests. In doing so, the project fosters social participation, critical thinking, and intergenerational inclusion.

The project combines face-to-face and blended learning formats specifically adapted to the needs of learners aged 55+, ensuring accessibility and relevance. By enhancing digital and media competencies, BonJour contributes to the prevention of digital exclusion and promotes the active engagement of older adults in civil society.

Project number: 2023-1-IT02-KA220-ADU-000160320
Webpage: www.bonjour-project.eu/

About the Author

Peter Mazohl, a graduate in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Education, is an experienced educator with over 30 years of secondary teaching and a strong background in adult education since 1985. As President of EBI/EIE and lecturer at TU Vienna, he specialises in multimedia development, AI in education, and international project management.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.