Widget user interface considerations for ROLE widgets

The development of computer-based learning environments aims to create a truly personal and individual learning experience. A learning environment should be self explaining and easy to use. Thus, the design and development of the user interface plays a major role in the learning experience. Furthermore, personal learning environments (PLEs) provide the learner with the ability to build their own learning environments by compiling respective services, contents and peers. In this context, the European project ROLE focuses on the development of an architecture to enable learners to compile their learning environment within the browser using widget technology. In this paper, we briefly discuss the suggestions and best practices of the ROLE project for the design of widget interfaces to run wit hin the ROLE enabled PLEs.