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Simply Effective? Simplified User Interfaces in Software Tutorials

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Title: Simply Effective? Simplified User Interfaces in Software Tutorials
Language: English
Authors: Pia Bsdurrek (ORCID 0009-0005-1608-4290), Michael Meng (ORCID 0000-0003-2100-648X)
Source: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication. 2025 55(3):223-246.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Computer Software, Tutorial Programs, Eye Movements, Visual Aids, Instructional Design, Attention, Multimedia Instruction, Usability, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Germany
DOI: 10.1177/00472816241262221
ISSN: 0047-2816
1541-3780
Abstract: Simplified user interfaces (SUIs) refer to a new design technique in technical communication that simplifies screenshots by removing irrelevant elements and highlighting only the essential information. While there is consensus on the benefits of signaling in multimedia learning, there is currently no empirical evidence on the effects of SUIs on user performance. This study reports an eye-tracking experiment that examined whether users can work more effectively and efficiently with a software tutorial containing SUIs instead of unedited pictures without signaling or pictures using conventional signaling techniques. The study also aimed to clarify whether SUIs draw user attention to relevant areas of a picture. Eye tracking and performance measures indicate that SUIs draw user attention successfully, but do not improve user performance compared to unedited screenshot in a tutorial scenario. The results contribute to the question of whether design principles of multimedia learning can be successfully transferred to action-oriented texts.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1474453
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Simply Effective? Simplified User Interfaces in Software Tutorials
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pia+Bsdurrek%22">Pia Bsdurrek</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1608-4290">0009-0005-1608-4290</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Michael+Meng%22">Michael Meng</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2100-648X">0000-0003-2100-648X</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Technical+Writing+and+Communication%22"><i>Journal of Technical Writing and Communication</i></searchLink>. 2025 55(3):223-246.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Software%22">Computer Software</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Tutorial+Programs%22">Tutorial Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Eye+Movements%22">Eye Movements</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Visual+Aids%22">Visual Aids</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Design%22">Instructional Design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attention%22">Attention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Multimedia+Instruction%22">Multimedia Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Usability%22">Usability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/00472816241262221
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  Data: Simplified user interfaces (SUIs) refer to a new design technique in technical communication that simplifies screenshots by removing irrelevant elements and highlighting only the essential information. While there is consensus on the benefits of signaling in multimedia learning, there is currently no empirical evidence on the effects of SUIs on user performance. This study reports an eye-tracking experiment that examined whether users can work more effectively and efficiently with a software tutorial containing SUIs instead of unedited pictures without signaling or pictures using conventional signaling techniques. The study also aimed to clarify whether SUIs draw user attention to relevant areas of a picture. Eye tracking and performance measures indicate that SUIs draw user attention successfully, but do not improve user performance compared to unedited screenshot in a tutorial scenario. The results contribute to the question of whether design principles of multimedia learning can be successfully transferred to action-oriented texts.
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        Value: 10.1177/00472816241262221
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 24
        StartPage: 223
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      – SubjectFull: Computer Software
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Tutorial Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Eye Movements
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Visual Aids
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Design
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attention
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Multimedia Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Usability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Germany
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      – TitleFull: Simply Effective? Simplified User Interfaces in Software Tutorials
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            NameFull: Pia Bsdurrek
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            NameFull: Michael Meng
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              Y: 2025
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