A field study of exploratory learning strategies

Abstract

It has been suggested that interactive computer users find "exploratory learning" to be an effective and attractive strategy for learning a new system or investigating unknown features of familiar software. In exploratory learning, instead of working through precisely sequenced training materials, the user investigates a system on his or her own initiative, often in pursuit of a real or artificial task. The value of exploratory learning has been studied in controlled settings, with special attention to newly acquired systems, but there has been little investigation of its occurrence in natural situations or in support of ongoing learning. To address this question, a field study of the behavior and attitudes of computer users in everyday working situations was performed, using diaries and structured interviews that focused on learning events. The study showed that task-oriented exploration was a widely accepted method for learning, but that it often required support from manuals and from other users or system support personnel. Exploration not related to a current or pending task was infrequent, and most users believed it to be inefficient. These findings have implications for the design of systems, documentation, and training.

How Do People Learn at the Workplace? Investigating Four Workplace Learning Assumptions

“…A participant could report about three types of learning moments: successful and intended, successful and coincidental, and unsuccessful learning moments. To report learning moments, Eureka Reports, a type of diary study that focuses on recording learning in everyday work, were used as a starting point for the design of the diary [17]. The APOSDLE partners decided on suitable participants from their organizations, based on the request to find knowledge workers that spend at least 60% of their working time at a computer based workplace.…”

Supporting learning within the workplace

“…Given the hands-on nature of these activities it is hardly surprising that learning occurs on the ward -this informal learning is also an important component of a community of practice. However, while people may prefer to learn in a real world context, learning in this way does not guarantee that all device functionality will be understood [12] or that users will develop comprehensive conceptual models. The issues are important to consider in relation to the drive towards incorporating e-learning into infusion device training.…”

Valorizing omics visualization for discovery

“…These studies should be conducted with scientists analyzing their own experimental results for the first time. Several studies [14,22,32,36] have conducted such longitudinal studies with evaluations that included frequent user interviews, diary studies, and 'Eureka' reports. Overall, measuring the impact of visualizations on discovery is a difficult task but a range of evaluation methods are being tested to measure success [31].…”