Anais do IHC'2001 - Departamento de Informática e Estatística - UFSC

Anais do IHC’2001 - IV Workshop sobre Fatores Humanos em Sistemas Computacionais 281
Ctrl-P: Enhancing the Readability and Comprehension of
Printed Academic Materials
Mario Alberto Moreno Rocha
Instituto de Electrónica y Computación, Universidad Tecnológica de la Mixteca, Km 2.5
Carretera a Acatlima, Huajuapan de León, Oaxaca, CP 69000, México
mmoreno@mixteco.utm.mx
Abstract. Distance learning offers unparalleled advantages when compared to
the traditional education. However, studies shows that a big majority of students
download their materials and print them out for study off-line, thus reducing the
extraordinary multimedia experience into the old and traditional printed paper
sheet. How could the design of academic contents be achieved effectively having
in mind the “Ctrl+P” factor? The poster will discuss the possible way in which
printed content would benefit from HCI studies, a comparison between paper and
reading devices and recommendations to virtual educators for the creation of
better printed materials.
1. Introduction
Since the dawn of the so-called distributed or virtual education, more properly refereed as
distance learning, the possibilities looked endless. Countries who cannot compete in the
new world order due by their limited resources find in the distance learning a vehicle to
leap ahead on their educational drawback.
At the Universidad Tecnológica de la Mixteca, such important endeavour is present by the
Virtual University programme (UV) [Universidad Virtual, 2001]. Founded in 1998, the
UV offers now two different postgraduate study programmes. The number of enrolled
students duplicates every time. Our students are scattered all across the country, but in the
future, students from all over Latin America are expected to participate.
Despite the efforts to enrich the academic contents on-line and make education more
attractive, a recent survey shown that a big majority of our students print out the
downloaded materials for study off-line, then reducing the all multimedia experience into a
traditional, old fashioned printed paper sheet.
This tendency cannot be reverted. How could HCI be usefully applied to improve the
design of printed materials in order to enhance readability and comprehension of academic
content?
2. Distance Learning Analysis
Traditional education, based on the classroom-and-teacher scheme, has proved effective for
more than 200 years. However, it could be enhanced through new technologies. With the
easy access to personal computers and its increased multimedia capabilities, its utilisation
in education was a natural consequence [Moreno-Rocha, 1998].
The ubiquitous communication technology of the Internet, the intuitive presentation of
information, and the wonders of the World Wide Web offers a possibility to find a model