The Minimal Manual
Authors:
- John M. CarrollJCJohn M. Carroll
- Penny L. Smith-KerkerPSPenny L. Smith-Kerker
- James R. FordJFJames R. Ford
- Sandra A. Mazur-RimetzSMSandra A. Mazur-Rimetz
- 1 June 1987
- journal article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Human–Computer Interaction
- Vol. 3 (2) , 123-153
Abstract
The Minimal Manual was designed to address difficulties people have with state-of-the-art self-instruction manuals in learning to use powerful computing devices. It is briefer; it helps learners to coordinate their attention between the system and the manual; it specifically trains error recognition and recovery; it better supports reference use after training. In two experiments, the Minimal Manual was shown to afford more efficient learning progress than an otherwise comparable, commercially developed self-instruction manual, and was superior in the specific areas predicted by its design.Keywords
This publication has 8 references indexed in Scilit:
- Transcending inductive category formation in learningBehavioral and Brain Sciences, 1986
- LisaLearningComputer, 1986
- Exploring Exploring a Word ProcessorHuman–Computer Interaction, 1985
- Blocking Learner Error States in a Training-Wheels SystemHuman Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 1984
- Learning to use word processorsACM Transactions on Information Systems, 1983
- Reducing manual labor1982
- A comparison of texts and their summaries: Memorial consequencesJournal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 1980
- Understanding the naive computer userThe Computer Journal, 1976