Using Surprise in Human-Computer Interfaces to Enhance Knowledge Communication Effectiveness

A study with 186 subjects is described in which a simulated threat was incorporated into a human-computer interface with the goal of increasing the interface's knowledge communication effectiveness. The subjects were asked to review Web-based learning modules about international commercial terms (Incoterms), and subsequently take a test on what they had learned. Data from 6 learning modules in 2 experimental conditions were contrasted. In the treatment condition a Web-based screen with a snake in attack position was used to surprise the subjects; the snake screen was absent in the control condition. As predicted, the subjects in the treatment condition did significantly better in the test for the modules immediately before and after the snake screen than the subjects in the control condition; approximately 18 and 38 percent better, respectively.