The relationship between computer interaction and individual user characteristics

Development of effective human computer interaction is being approached independently by two disciplines -- user interface design and computer aided instruction. The lack of communication between the two fields has left each separately pursuing different paths toward the same goals. This thesis attempts to bridge the gap between these two disciplines. An exploratory study was conducted to analyze whether user choices in a computer aided instruction environment and personality types as defined by the Myers-Briggs type indicator are related strongly enough to provide the basis for future user models. The results demonstrated that no single instructional strategy was preferred, implying the need for more than one user model. The amount of instruction chosen did not increase performance. These conclusions have impact on research efforts to understand how both user and system characteristics influence the use of computer technology. The current research efforts to incorporate artificial intelligence techniques by both user interface designers and computer aided instruction developers has heightened the need for knowledge-based systems incorporating interdisciplinary research efforts