The Role of Training in Preparing End Users to Learn Related Software
Conrad Shayo, Lorne Olfman · Journal of Organizational and End User Computing · 2000
The aim of this paper is to determine what types of formal training methods can provide appropriate "mapping via training" of a new but related database management system (DBMS) given that "mapping via analogy" is also taking place. To this end, trainees’ existing mental models were measured prior to being exposed to one of three training methods. Training methods were varied in an experimental setting across two dimensions: the training task context (generic and/or relevant), and the number of DBMSs demonstrated (one and/or two). Outcomes were measured in terms of learning performance and perceptions of ability to transfer skills to a new but related DBMS. The results indicate that both task context and the number of software packages learned are important training variables that influence trainees’ mental models of the software, their transfer self-efficacy expectation, and their perceptions about the usefulness of the training.