Effectiveness of an Electronic Performance Support System for Use With Computer-Aided Design Software

Although Bentley Systems, Inc. (BSI) CAD, a computer-aided design program used in many U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offices, can produce the detailed documents necessary for planning, review, construction, and management of a facility, such software requires extensive training. Allocating the time and resources to learn such computer-based technology is a pressing productivity concern in both government and commercial settings. The U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories (USACERL) has studied the use of Computer-Aided Instruction (CAI) to train architects and engineers to use many types of automated systems. Development of the Mentor hypertext Electronic Performance Support System can help meet this need for cost-effective CAD training done within the context of current working projects, by incorporating embedded online instruction into MicroStation CAD software. This study enhanced the Mentor CAI system for use with MicroStation software and tested the system with users representing a range of disciplines and CAD expertise. At the end of the test period, a survey was administered to determine their use of the system, attitudes, learning preferences, and reactions to the program.