Haptic enhanced tutorials: Using haptic cues to increase visual attention

One area of human-computer interaction that has not been explored is the use of haptics in program tutorials. Many complex programs, such as 3D Studio Max, have crowded graphical user interfaces. Although this cannot be avoided, it can be frustrating to individuals trying to learn these programs, especially since the written tutorials provided as learning materials have a tendency to be difficult to understand. This paper focuses on utilizing haptic feedback to clarify such program tutorials, in particular a 3D Studio Max modifier tutorial. An experimental study was conducted to examine the effects of adding haptics to a 3D Studio Max tutorial. The results show that adding haptics decreases the amount of time and frustration it takes to learn a new computer application.