Softening the Learning Curve of Software Development Tools

In the software industry, albeit wide spread techniques to make the development cycle more agile, it is not easy for a company to implement, maintain and deliver tools that support the learning stages of their users. As such, the learning processes and tools tend to receive fewer budget on the product backlog. With this in consideration, a framework for computer assisted learning was devised. This framework is intended to increase the subject matter retention rate, minimize the learners? frustration levels, while keeping the development and maintenance costs low. The learning curve presented by an Integrated Development Environment is discussed. The embedded tutorial system built in OutSystems IDE presents low retention rates, which makes users perform poorly when a transfer test is presented. This dissertation presents a framework which tries improve theperformance of the users after being exposed to a tutorial, without increasing frustration levels. The several components of the framework are detailed and it is argued that the framework can be implemented on other inherently complex tools aside from IDE?s. It is also discussed how the embedded tutorial system was extended with the developed framework and the yielded results. The challenge lies in combining the simplicity of interactive tutorial systems, with the tailoring offered by Intelligent Tutoring Systems. This approach presents some degree of adaptation to the learner, while keeping the product simple. It provides a minimal viable product that is able to soften the learning curve of inherently complex applications.