Paper Info
Title
The prevention of mode errors through sensory feedback
Abstract
The use of different kinds of feedback in preventing mode errors was investigated. Two experiments examined the frequency of mode errors in a text-editing task where a mode error was defined as an attempt to issue navigation commands while in insert mode, or an attempt to insert text while in command mode. In Experiment 1, the effectiveness of kinesthetic versus visual feedback was compared in four different conditions: the use of keyboard versus foot pedal for changing mode (kinesthetic feedback), crossed with the presence or absence of visual feedback to indicate mode. The results showed both kinesthetic and visual feedback to be effective in reducing mode errors. However, kinesthetic was more effective than visual feedback both in terms of reducing errors and in terms of reducing the cognitive load associated with mode changes. Experiment 2 tested the hypothesis that the superiority of this kinesthetic feedback was due to the fact that the foot pedal required subjects actively to maintain insert mode. The results confirmed that the use of a nonlatching foot pedal for switching modes provided a more salient source of information on mode state than the use of a latching pedal. On the basis of these results, we argue that user-maintained mode states prevent mode errors more effectively than system-maintained mode states.
Year
DOI
Venue
1992
10.1207/s15327051hci0702_1
Human computer interaction
Keywords
Field
DocType
kinesthetic feedback,mode error,sensory feedback,mode change,foot pedal,system-maintained mode state,visual feedback,mode state,user-maintained mode state,command mode,insert mode,cognitive load
Kinesthetic learning,Computer science,Simulation,Sensory system,Cognitive load,Salient
Journal
Volume
Issue
Citations 
7
2
61
PageRank 
References 
Authors
26.18
2
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Abigail Sellen15323809.52
Gordon Kurtenbach21964373.73
William A. S. Buxton3330134.48