Linear vs. Nonlinear

[Lisa Ann Miller <Lisa_Ann_Miller -at- MASTERCARD -dot- COM>]

TECHWR-Ls -

I have to admit I've been very short sighted in my user evaluations.  I
have overlooked how the user's approach information and learning.

For instance, I learn things very dynamically.  I make connections
everywhere, then come back to the point.  Other people learn things
systematically moving from one point to another and expanding from the
base.  Now, I realize some of this may have to do with experience, but I
don't think all of it does.  For example, a more experienced user may have
a different learning base, but still may add new information either
linearly or non linearly.

My questions are these:

What information is available to learn how to distinguish these different
learning methods?
Has anyone ever included this in their user evaluations?
How do you all think it would apply/change your documentation knowing this
type of information?

Lisa Miller
Sr. Technical Writer
MasterCard International

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