This fourth and final article in a series about hypertext links and associated design guidelines focuses on learning support and program help links that support users' learning activities and help users understand the operational elements of the program itself. Examples are given from a HyperCard program called Desert Shield. (LRW)

Presents eight humorous ways a consumer can tell whether he has purchased a good or bad microcomputer. (MBR)

Considers three powerful techniques--heuristics, context trees, and search via backward chaining--that a knowledge engineer might employ to develop an expert system to automate performance engineering, i.e., the branch of instructional technology that focuses on the problems of business and industry. (MBR)

Discusses the need for readable, easily accessed user documentation for application software packages and provides suggestions for creating effective user documentation. User characteristics are emphasized, including problems users experience; and recommendations for effective documentation are given, including being task oriented and providing…

Provides directions for conducting a workshop providing technical training in a large organization that links job performances to work processes. Organizational levels of performance are discussed; relationship maps and process maps are explained; and an example of a workshop for a software maintenance environment is presented. (two references)…

Discusses structure, credibility, and use of the Computer Based Training (CBT) Advisor, an expert system designed to help managers make judgements about course selection, system selection, cost/benefits, development effort, and probable success of CBT projects. (MBR)

Discussion of the development of job aids and personal performance tools focuses on self-charting as an effective feedback technique. The use of self-monitoring for various situations is described, the importance of setting goals is discussed, and computer programs developed for self-monitoring are explained. (eight references) (LRW)

Highlights the major differences between software training and reference materials, examines the key features that should be present in both if they are to be effective, and presents a checklist for use in evaluating the documentation that accompanies microcomputer software. (MBR)

Discusses the advantages of using story board techniques to design a course in computer based training, and describes the use of HyperCard to create the story boards directly on the computer screen. The discussion covers HyperCard's software capabilities, programing language, and print features. (CLB)

Discusses the relationship between the problems involved in the creation of expert systems by knowledge engineers, i.e., experts at translating human abilities and knowledge into computer programs, and the major issues dealt with in the planning/analysis phases of instructional development. (MBR)

Discussion of user-friendly documentation focuses on problems with computer hardware and software documentation, and other forms of instructional manuals, that are poorly written and do not keep the needs of the users in mind. Topics highlighted include target audience analysis and validation and indexes. (LRW)

This checklist provides guidelines for designing computer screen displays and evaluating those designed by others. The checklist covers three important aspects of designing a computer screen display: how the screen looks, how the screen interacts with users, and evaluating the screen. (MBR)

Presents highlights from a panel discussion by well known San Francisco Bay area documentation writers, instructional designers, and human performance technologists. Three issues on user performance and documentation are addressed: whether people avoid reading user manuals and why; major human factors influencing documentation use; and…

Discussion of shyness and how it affects performance focuses on a training program that was designed to assist trainers in reducing shyness and in-building interpersonal competence. A questionnaire and other methods to help identify shyness are described, and HyperCard software that organized and presented exercises for treatment is explained. A…

Explores assumptions about student ability that underlie current instructional software design and the possibility that a behaviorist bias influences software design strategies; offers evidence that a behaviorist instructional strategy helps low-ability and hinders high-ability students; presents a contrasting instructional approach; and reviews…