Effective Strategies for Bridging Gulfs Between Users and Computer Systems

This paper describes design strategies that led to significant improvements in the usability and learnability of an enduser programming environment called RIDES. These strategies may be viewed as concrete procedures for building easily learned interfaces and were derived from Polson and Lewis' CE+ theory. RIDES was designed to make it possible for US Air Force training experts, with minimal programming experience, to author simulation-based Intelligent Tutoring Systems. Tutors created using RIDES facilitate guided learning-bydoing. Such an instructional approach has been validated as an effective way of acquiring complex procedural skills in various contexts. Instruction created using RIDES has the potential for addressing training problems associated with the operation of highly automated aviation systems.