Visuals in Instruction: Functions of Screen Captures in Software Manuals

This paper aims to answer two questions. The first is how screen captures in software manuals should be used to support learning. Four functions of screen captures in software manuals are presented. Three studies report the influence of these functions on the effectiveness and efficiency of the learning process. The second question is how users of visual manuals process combinations of text and pictures in memory. Two theories, Dual Coding theory and Cognitive Load theory seem to be in conflict here. Based on cognitive load measurements in two studies, Dual Coding theory initially gives the best explanation for text-picture processing.

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