Increasing the propensity to use computer application software.

Abstract

The use of computer application software could be increased. The goal of this research was to uncover a design for a module which instructs the potential user how to use software. This type of module, called an instructional module, would, when incorporated on software such as decision support tools, increase the willingness of novices to use the software more frequently. Four instructional modules designs, which were the result of combining two states of two variables of instructional module design, were examined. The four designs are (1) an automated programmed learning module; (2) an automated help facility; (3) a manual programmed learning module and; (4) a manual help facility. A financial decision support tool was developed, and each of the four instructional modules designs was placed separately on the decision support tool. This created, in effect, four different tools. Subjects in the experiment were business school students with no formal experience using a decision support tool. Each subject was exposed to two of the four instructional module designs during a training session which lasted one hour. One month after the training session, the subjects were reassembled for a second session. During this session, the subjects selected one of the two tools, with its instructional module, which they had been exposed to previously. The subjects were to use the selected tool to solve problems which would likely require them to access the instructional module. In addition to these behavioral selection data, attitudinal data concerning the instructional module designs were also collected throughout both sessions of the experiment. Based on their selection and their attitudinal responses, the subjects indicated that the tool with the automated programmed learning module was the module of choice. The research methodology successfully provided input for instructional module design for computer application software such as decision support tools.