Resumen de Animated vs. illustrated software tutorials: screencasts for acquisition and screenshots for recalling

Dragoljub Novakovic, Neva Milicic, Branko Milosavljevic

• Previous studies in the domain of software learning did not reveal consistent results considering which type of visualisation is moreefficient and effective for mastering software procedures. In this study, two independent units (A and B) for two procedures in theMS Excel application were made in two versions: an illustrated (screenshots) and an animated one (screencasts). Using a 22-experimental design with the visualisation type (illustrated vs. animated) and counterbalanced learning order (A, B vs. B, A) asindependent variables, 72 participants were randomly assigned to one of the four groups. For unit A, the animated version wasassigned to groups 1 and 3, and the illustrated version to groups 2 and 4, and vice versa for unit B. The main conclusion deductedfrom results and confirmed with participants’ choice of preferable version is that animated tutorials are finest learning solutions forsoftware procedure acquisition, while illustrated tutorials are foremost for procedure recall.