Abstract
The present study attempts to investigate difficulties that appear during mouse use control. It reports a series of experimental mouse tasks, using software constructed for this research. Our main objective is to investigate children and adults’ performance on various drag & drop tasks. Differences in performance between high and low-skill computer users on low-level mouse operations tasks are also examined. Results revealed within-subject variation in performance on mouse operation tasks and performance differences among groups.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
T. Richter, J. Naumann, and N. Groeben, “Attitudes toward the computer: construct validation of an instrument with scales differentiated by content”,Computers in Human Behavior, 16, 473–491, 2000.
L. Kerawalla and C. Crook, “Children’s computer use at home and at school: context and continuity”,British Educational Research Journal, 28(6), 751-771, 2002.
F. Esquembre, “Easy Java simulations: a software tool to create scientific simulations in Java”,Computer Physics Communications, 156, 199–204, 2004.
L. Birch, T. Graven-Nielsen, H. Christensen and L. Arendt-Nielsen, “Experimental muscle pain modulates muscle activity and work performance differently during high and low precision use of a computer mouse”,European Journal of Applied Physiology, 83, 492-498, 2000.
A. Chaparro, M. Bohan, J. Fernandez, B. Kattel and S. Choi, “Is the trackball a better input device for the older computer user?”,Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 9(1), 33-43, 1999.
A.S. North, and J.M. Noyes, “Gender influences on children’s computer attitudes and cognitions”,Computers in Human Behavior, 18, 135-150, 2002.
S. Czaja, J. Sharit, N. Sankaran and M. Rubert, “Understanding sources of user variability in computer-based data entry performance”,Behaviour &Information Technology, 17(5), 282-293, 1998.
L.A. VanDijk and W.M.G. Jochems, “Changing a traditional lecturing approach into an interactive approach: Effects of interrupting the monologue in lectures”,International Journal of Engineering Education, 18(3), 275–284, 2002.
D.J. Steele, J.E. Johnson Palensky, T.G. Lynch, N.L. Lacy and S.W. Duffy, “Learning preferences, computer attitudes, and student evaluation of computerised instruction”,Medical Education, 36, 225-232, 2002.
C. Panagiotakopoulos and G. Ioannides, “Assessing the understanding of basic time concepts to children using multimedia software”,Computers and Education, 38(4), 331-349, 2002.
M. Macaulay, “The speed of mouse-click as a measure of anxiety during human-computer interaction”,Behaviour and information Technology, 23(6), 427-433, 2004.
E.F. Strommen, G.L. Revelle, L.M. Medoff and S. Razavi, “Slow and steady wins the race? Three-year-old children and pointing device use”,Behaviour and Information Technology, 15(1), 57-74, 1996.
J.G. Phillips and T.J. Triggs, “Characteristics of cursor trajectories controlled by the computer mouse”,Ergonomics, 44(5), 527-536, 2001.
C. Baber, “Beyond the desktop: designing and using interaction devices”, San Diego, CA: Academic, 1997.
R. Joiner, D. Messer, P. Light and K. Littleton, “It is best to point for young children: a comparison of children’s pointing and dragging”,Computers in Human Behavior, 14(3), 513-529, 1998.
C. Crook, “Young children’s skill in using a mouse to control a graphical computer interface”,Computers Education, 19(3), 199-207, 1992.
S. Trewin and H. Pain, “Keyboard and mouse errors due to motor disabilities”,International Journal of Human–Computer Studies, 50, 109–144, 1999.
S. Davis and S. Wiedenbeck, “The mediating effects of intrinsic motivation, ease of use and usefulness perceptions on performance in first-time and subsequent computer users”,Interacting with Computers, 13, 549-580, 2001.
B.A. Myers, “Challenges of HCI design and implementation”,Interactions, 1, 73-83, 1994.
K.M. Inkpen, “Designing handheld technologies for kids”,Personal Technologies Journal, 3, 81-89, 1999.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this paper
Cite this paper
Panagiotakopoulos, C., Sarris, M. (2008). Effects of Computer Skill on Mouse Move and Drag & Drop Performance. In: Elleithy, K. (eds) Innovations and Advanced Techniques in Systems, Computing Sciences and Software Engineering. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8735-6_26
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8735-6_26
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-8734-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-8735-6
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)