Distributed Performance Support Systems

(PhD Thesis, 1998)

Nigel Beacham

Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory,
School of Computing & Mathematics,
University of Teesside, UK

The focus of this thesis is on electronic performance support and, in particular, systems which enable performance support facilities to be distributed across networks. A review of the literature is undertaken, followed by a discussion of the rationale for using a distributed performance support system (DPSS) and an evaluation of a number of tools and facilities which can be used during the development and implementation of this type of system. This analysis enabled a distributed performance support system to be developed which illustrates the potential relationships between the embedded support tools and components. Two different types of distributed performance support system are then described. These reflect a number of different architectures such a system can take within academic institutions in order to facilitate teaching and learning.

Based upon one of these types of DPSS, an important part of the work described in this thesis has been an investigation into the use of computer-based learning facilities and how these facilities can be effectively used by integrating them within a DPPS. The investigation centred on the use of the BYZANTIUM marginal costing package - a computer-based learning package that is used within the School of Business Management at the University of Teesside in order to teach students the technique of marginal costing.

In order to investigate the potential and impact of embedding the marginal costing package within a distributed performance support system (within the context of an academic institution) a number of experimental case studies were implemented and evaluated within the School of Business Management at the University of Teesside. Each of these case studies relates to the theme of 'learning support environments'. The case studies have served to establish a set of principles and guidelines for the creation of distributed performance support systems within an academic setting.

In the final part of the thesis the results of the evaluation studies are presented and discussed. This is followed by some concluding remarks and some suggestions for future work.