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How interface design determines Who has difficulty learning to use a text editor

Authors:

Louis M. Gomez,

Dennis E. Egan,

Evangeline A. Wheeler,

Dhiraj K. Sharma,

Aleta M. GruchaczAuthors Info & Claims

CHI '83: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

Pages 176 - 181

https://doi.org/10.1145/800045.801605

Published: 12 December 1983 Publication History

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Abstract

In previous studies two background characteristics of computer novices were consistently correlated with their success in learning to use a line-based computer text editor. Older people and those who scored low on a standard test of Spatial Memory had more difficulty than younger people and those with higher Spatial Memory test scores. In the present study, we observed computer novices as they learned to use a screen-based editor, which presumably reduced spatial memory load. Contrary to expectations, performance using a screen-based editor was again strongly correlated with Spatial Memory test scores. However, the correlation between performance and subjects' age was significantly reduced. Overall, subjects were able to perform the same text editing exercises almost twice as fast using the screen editor compared to subjects in previous experiments using the line editor. These results are discussed in terms of the different cognitive demands placed on users by line and screen text editors.

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Cited By

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Jones WDonner SNarayan BReyes V(2023)It's about Time: Let's Do More to Support the Process of Aging (vs. the State of Being “Old”)Extended Abstracts of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3544549.3582740(1-7)Online publication date: 19-Apr-2023
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3544549.3582740
Jones W(2017) The Science of Managing our Digital Stuff. Ofer Bergman and Steve Whittaker. Cambridge, MAJournal of the Association for Information Science and Technology10.1002/asi.2387068:12(2834-2840)Online publication date: 8-Nov-2017
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Nguyen TCrosby MIding MScott N(2014)Contribution of Biosensors to Enhancing Performance for Users with Special Needs8th International Conference on Foundations of Augmented Cognition. Advancing Human Performance and Decision-Making through Adaptive Systems - Volume 853410.1007/978-3-319-07527-3_29(305-314)Online publication date: 22-Jun-2014
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How interface design determines Who has difficulty learning to use a text editor

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Published In

CHI '83: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

December 1983

306 pages

ISBN:0897911210

DOI:10.1145/800045

Chairmen:
Raoul N. Smith,
Richard W. Pew,
Editor:
Ann Janda

Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]

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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 12 December 1983

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CHI '83 Paper Acceptance Rate 59 of 176 submissions, 34%;

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Jones WDonner SNarayan BReyes V(2023)It's about Time: Let's Do More to Support the Process of Aging (vs. the State of Being “Old”)Extended Abstracts of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3544549.3582740(1-7)Online publication date: 19-Apr-2023
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3544549.3582740
Jones W(2017) The Science of Managing our Digital Stuff. Ofer Bergman and Steve Whittaker. Cambridge, MAJournal of the Association for Information Science and Technology10.1002/asi.2387068:12(2834-2840)Online publication date: 8-Nov-2017
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1002/asi.23870
Nguyen TCrosby MIding MScott N(2014)Contribution of Biosensors to Enhancing Performance for Users with Special Needs8th International Conference on Foundations of Augmented Cognition. Advancing Human Performance and Decision-Making through Adaptive Systems - Volume 853410.1007/978-3-319-07527-3_29(305-314)Online publication date: 22-Jun-2014
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/978-3-319-07527-3_29
Johnson KSmith-Jackson TResnick MJohnson K(2013)Human–Computer SystemsCultural Ergonomics10.1201/b15563-5(71-96)Online publication date: 14-Nov-2013
https://doi.org/10.1201/b15563-5
Smelcer JCarmel E(2007)The Effectiveness of Different Representations for Managerial Problem Solving: Comparing Tables and MapsDecision Sciences10.1111/j.1540-5915.1997.tb01316.x28:2(391-420)Online publication date: 7-Jun-2007
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5915.1997.tb01316.x
Pak RRogers WFisk A(2006)Spatial Ability Subfactors and Their Influences on a Computer-Based Information Search TaskHuman Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society10.1518/00187200677641218048:1(154-165)Online publication date: 1-Mar-2006
https://doi.org/10.1518/001872006776412180
Laberge JScialfa C(2005)Predictors of Web Navigation Performance in a Life Span Sample of AdultsHuman Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society10.1518/001872005467947047:2(289-302)Online publication date: 1-Jun-2005
https://doi.org/10.1518/0018720054679470
Crosby MIding MChin D(2003)Research on task complexity as a foundation for augmented cognition36th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 2003. Proceedings of the10.1109/HICSS.2003.1174301(9 pp.)Online publication date: 2003
https://doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2003.1174301
Ownby RCzaja SLee C(2002)Older Adults, Information Technology, and Behavioral Health CareBehavorial Healthcare Informatics10.1007/978-0-387-21586-0_7(77-86)Online publication date: 2002
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-21586-0_7
Boyd CDarken R(1996)Psychological issues of virtual environment interfacesACM SIGCHI Bulletin10.1145/242417.24244628:4(49-53)Online publication date: 1-Oct-1996
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Learning to use a text editor: some learner characteristics that predict success

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