The direct use of already existing user manuals for computer aided instruction and information retrieval with the aid of hypermedia

Abstract

By implementing on-line manuals and CAI-programs for car repair with the aid of a hypermedium, using already existing user manuals, it was found that working with a script gives a suitable way for transformation. The existing material which was examined is very well suited for transformation, although a page often contains too much text. When a company wants to computerize all its existing documentation material, both for instructional purposes as for information retrieval, it is a cheap way to copy the existing material directly. New material could be constructed in such a way that it is more suitable for the use in an on-line application. An extension to the system is the possibility to couple several manuals by means of a multi-layered hypermedium-application. Each layer has its own functionality such as for documentation purposes, diagnostics and instruction. A user can, by clicking on a specific item, jump from layer to layer. Each layer contains its own control structure.

OTIC is the Innovation Center for Education and Technology in which the research at the Open University is concentrated.