Understanding and Improving Web-Based Tutorials

When people encounter problems using their software tools it is now common practice to seek help from the Web. When turning to the Web, people typically encounter tutorials authored by other end users. This project seeks characterize this emerging form of helping seeking behaviour and to design systems that improve users' experiences with web-based instructional material. For example, we analyzing user comments posted to web-based tutorials to understand how these tutorials and tutorial systems are being used. We are looking at the extent to which Photoshop tutorials authored by end users are adhering to estabilished guidelines on how to deliver instructional material and how authoring practices differ according to online community.  Finally, we are designing systems that to allow for better integration and use of user comments.

Project Publications

• 
• 
•