Simply Effective? Simplified User Interfaces in Software Tutorials

Bibliographic Data

ID21411087
AuthorsPia Bsdurrek (0009-0005-1608-4290, Merseburg University of Applied Sciences), Michael Meng (0000-0002-4049-7846, Merseburg University of Applied Sciences, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume55
Issue3
Pages223-246
Publication date2025-07-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Technical Writing and Communication (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0047-2816 • E-ISSN: 1541-3780
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00472816241262221
OpenAlexW4400984207
LanguageEN
References cited24

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

Action (physics) · Eye tracking · Human–computer interaction · Multimedia · Programming language · User interface · World Wide Web · Artificial Intelligence · Computer Science · Educational Games and Gamification · Software · Visual and Cognitive Learning Processes · Wikis in Education and Collaboration

Tools

Open DOI