Designing electronic performance support systems to facilitate learning

An electronic performance support system (EPSS) is a computer-based environment that facilitates skill and knowledge acquisition within a particular domain of study. As well as having pedagogic utility, an EPSS can also be used to augment and enhance an individual's performance beyond those limits that are set by innate natural ability. The authors' on-going research programme in this area has been investigating the potential utility of EPSS tools in a range of domains. This current paper discusses an application of this technique within the domain of 'quantitative research methods' as taught within a psychology degree course. As well as describing the design and implementation of the system, this paper also outlines the results of an evaluative study of the prototype EPSS tool that has been created.