The effect of interaction style and training method on end user learning of software packages

This paper reports two studies of software learning by individuals who use packages as a tool but never become experts. Using assimilation theory, we studied the effect of three interaction styles (direct manipulation, menu, and command) and two training methods (instruction and exploration) on the initial learning of a package and the subsequent learning of functionally equivalent packages. Results suggest that direct manipulation aids initial learning and that previous experience is a moderate aid in learning a subsequent package, but only when the interaction styles are similar. Exploration training does not appear to aid learners in a short training period.