The Effectiveness of Traditional versus Computer-Based Training Techniques

Abstract

The primary goal of this research was to examine the relative effectiveness of traditional versus computer-based training techniques. Additional goals were to assess how presentation modality and dynamic versus static presentation of material affects learning. Four training techniques were evaluated: paper instructions, computer simulations with on-screen text instructions, computer simulations with auditory instructions, and computer simulations with on-screen text and auditory instructions. Sixty subjects performed four tasks using a computer-based on-screen simulation of a display telephone. Before executing each task, subjects in each of the four treatment groups received a brief training session. Dependent measures consisted of time to complete the tasks, error rate, and subjective measures of how well the various training techniques were liked. An analysis of variance indicated that computer simulations with auditory instructions and simulations with combined modality instructions resulted in task performance times that were significantly less than those obtained following paper instructions. Tasks performed following computer-based training had a significantly lower error rate than did tasks performed without instructions. No significant differences were found among the training techniques for subjective measures of how well the training techniques were liked.