User interfaces to two electrical laboratory simulation programs: An evaluation

Abstract

The perception of simulation program interfaces by Electrical and Electronic Engineering undergraduate students has been evaluated. Two CAL programs which utilize different interface techniques were used. One program has a tree-structured menu approach to dialogue. The other employs direct manipulation of icons together with context-sensitive menus and dialogue boxes. Data was collected from a conventional amplitude modulation experiment in pre- and post-tests, and from a questionnaire and observations of laboratory sessions. A discussion of the experimental procedures together with a discussion of the results forms the main subject of the paper. The evaluation showed an increase in post-test scores significant at better than 1% for both programs. There was no significant test score difference between the two programs. However, the direct-manipulation program rated more favourably for 21 out of 22 questionnaire statements.