ABSTRACT
Purpose
To evaluate the quality of the most accessed websites aimed at instructing teachers on Frequency Modulation Systems in terms of readability, reliability, usability and comprehensiveness.
Methods
The websites contained in the first five pages of Google and Yahoo!, obtained by searching for keywords / free terms: "FM system", "child", "hearing impairment", "teacher", "remote microphones" and " guidelines" were selected and evaluated by three analysts using the Flesch Reading EaseTest, the Discern Questionnaire, the System Usability Scale and the comprehensiveness assessment.
Results
Fourteen websites were evaluated. Half of them were classified according to the degree of readability and reliability as "difficult / very difficult" and "poor", respectively. As for usability, most websites were classified as "good", with only one categorized as "best achievable". The analysis of the scope of the websites revealed that the themes covered in a less precise way were: the use of the FM system by the teacher and student, and the handling of the device with the “on / off” mode.
Conclusion
The websites available in the Brazilian Portuguese language with teachers’ guidance, regarding the FM System, presented restricted readability and almost half of the available content was classified as poor, demonstrating that the reliability for treatment choices through this information is not so safe.
Keywords:
Internet; Telemedicine; Educational technology; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; Self-help devices