Animation as Documentation: A Replication with Reinterpretation
http://www.stc.org/confproceed/1998/PDFs/00006.PDF
Lipps, Audrey W., J. Gregory Trafton and Wayne D. Gray
STC Proceedings
1997
Abstract:
Animated demonstrations are replacing text as the vehicle for documentation, help, and training on new software systems. An animated demonstration is a demonstration
of a particular feature or features by a ghost user. The
demonstration executes the procedure for performing a
task, on-screen, as the user passively watches. Whereas
research into the effectiveness of animated
demonstrations has produced mixed results, certain
patterns of behavior are emerging. The current study
replicates the learning advantage offered by animated
demonstration and shows that retention is equal to that of
a group instructed by text after a one week retention
interval. Implications for development of on-line training
materials are discussed.
