TITLE: Learnability in Information Design

AUTHORS(s): & AFFILIATION(s): Kathy Haramundanis

KEYWORD(s): learning, learnability, usability, human learning

PRESENTER / CONTACT PERSON: Kathy Haramundanis

CONTACT EMAIL: Kathy.Haramundanis@compaq.com

ABSTRACT:

Design of information about complex products should consider how learnable that information is, and strive to deliver materials that are inherently learnable. The speed of information exchange, the demands of the workplace, and school curricula increasingly require minimalist approaches to instructional material. People are frustrated by long learning times, and new users of software tools want to use them quickly. Further, many users of technical information are not native speakers of English. Methods and practices that worked in the past are compressed in a world of 'internet time.' This paper addresses three key areas in learnability, to assist our understanding of these trends in learning.

First, this paper defines learnability for the information designer, distinguishing it from the learnability theory of logicians, mathematicians, and some cognitive scientists. Second, the paper shows where learnability issues intersect with work in usability. And third, the paper provides a quick overview of those attributes of human beings on which learning depends. Preliminary quidelines that can enhance learnability of informational materials form part of the conclusions on this paper. Research that supports the theoretical guidelines and heurist models provides additional background to the learnability concepts and sample implementations.

Last modified October 28, 2001 by Scott Tilley.