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A Formative Analysis of Resources Used to Learn Software

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Bibliographic Details
Title: A Formative Analysis of Resources Used to Learn Software
Language: English
Authors: Kay, Robin
Source: Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology. Win 2007 33(1).
Availability: Canadian Network for Innovation in Education. 260 Dalhousie Street Suite 204, Ottawa, ON K1N 7E4, Canada. Tel: 613-241-0018; Fax: 613-241-0019; e-mail: cnie-rcie@cnie-rcie.ca; Web site: http://www.cjlt.ca
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 29
Publication Date: 2007
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Adults, Computer Software, Resources, Protocol Analysis, Gender Differences, Computer Peripherals, Guides, Keyboarding (Data Entry), Helping Relationship, Ability, Student Surveys, Interviews, Correlation, Statistical Analysis
Geographic Terms: Canada (Toronto)
ISSN: 1499-6677
Abstract: A comprehensive, formal comparison of resources used to learn computer software has yet to be researched. Understanding the relative strengths and weakness of resources would provide useful guidance to teachers and students. The purpose of the current study was to explore the effectiveness of seven key resources: human assistance, the manual, the keyboard, the screen, the software (other than main menu), the software main menu, and software help. Thirty-six adults (18 male, 18 female), representing three computer ability levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced), volunteered to think out loud while they learned, for a period of 55 minutes, the rudimentary steps (moving the cursor, using a menu, entering data) required to use a spreadsheet software package (Lotus 1-2-3). The main menu, the screen, and the manual were the most effective resources used. Human assistance produced short term gains in learning but was not significantly related to overall task performance. Searching the keyboard was frequently done, but was relatively ineffective for improving learning. Software help was the least effective learning resource. Individual differences in using resources were observed with respect to ability level and gender.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 70
Entry Date: 2015
Accession Number: EJ1073861
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: A Formative Analysis of Resources Used to Learn Software
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kay%2C+Robin%22">Kay, Robin</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Canadian+Journal+of+Learning+and+Technology%22"><i>Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology</i></searchLink>. Win 2007 33(1).
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  Data: Canadian Network for Innovation in Education. 260 Dalhousie Street Suite 204, Ottawa, ON K1N 7E4, Canada. Tel: 613-241-0018; Fax: 613-241-0019; e-mail: cnie-rcie@cnie-rcie.ca; Web site: http://www.cjlt.ca
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  Data: 29
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adults%22">Adults</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Software%22">Computer Software</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Resources%22">Resources</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Protocol+Analysis%22">Protocol Analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+Differences%22">Gender Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Peripherals%22">Computer Peripherals</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Guides%22">Guides</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Keyboarding+%28Data+Entry%29%22">Keyboarding (Data Entry)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Helping+Relationship%22">Helping Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ability%22">Ability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Surveys%22">Student Surveys</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interviews%22">Interviews</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Correlation%22">Correlation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Statistical+Analysis%22">Statistical Analysis</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Canada+%28Toronto%29%22">Canada (Toronto)</searchLink>
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: A comprehensive, formal comparison of resources used to learn computer software has yet to be researched. Understanding the relative strengths and weakness of resources would provide useful guidance to teachers and students. The purpose of the current study was to explore the effectiveness of seven key resources: human assistance, the manual, the keyboard, the screen, the software (other than main menu), the software main menu, and software help. Thirty-six adults (18 male, 18 female), representing three computer ability levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced), volunteered to think out loud while they learned, for a period of 55 minutes, the rudimentary steps (moving the cursor, using a menu, entering data) required to use a spreadsheet software package (Lotus 1-2-3). The main menu, the screen, and the manual were the most effective resources used. Human assistance produced short term gains in learning but was not significantly related to overall task performance. Searching the keyboard was frequently done, but was relatively ineffective for improving learning. Software help was the least effective learning resource. Individual differences in using resources were observed with respect to ability level and gender.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
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  Data: As Provided
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  Data: 70
– Name: DateEntry
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  Data: 2015
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  Label: Accession Number
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  Data: EJ1073861
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      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 29
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adults
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Software
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Resources
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Protocol Analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Gender Differences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Peripherals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Guides
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Keyboarding (Data Entry)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Helping Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Surveys
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interviews
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Correlation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Statistical Analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Canada (Toronto)
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: A Formative Analysis of Resources Used to Learn Software
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