Experiments using multimedia interfaces in process control: some initial results

This paper reports a series of experiments using different combinations of multimedia interfaces. The task used in the experiments is the Crossman Waterbath. The media combinations are compared and contrasted to draw out pointers towards the effects of different media. It is concluded that warnings affect comprehension and should be minimised during exploratory learning. Sound results were disappointing, and had a detrimental affect on performance. However, it was thought that the problem lay with the lack of discrimination between different sound levels. Those subjects who found the task hard were greatly helped by speech warnings. In conclusion, the experiments show that different presentational styles do indeed matter, and it is possible that multimedia interfaces are particularly useful for aspects of the interface which are difficult to understand