Exploring how add-on software development affects graphic editors´ learning results

To provide learners of graphics editing software with a self-initiated editing/learning method, this study´s author developed, on the basis of Java programs, a piece of add-on software for self-extracted images. The software´s functioning mechanism allows learners to keep track of the editing process with the retouched image displayed all at once, so they may gain the capability for self-initiated learning. The researchers kept a comprehensive record of image files generated in each step of the editing process, so the edited images can be compared against the original one. Based on such comparisons, users may scrutinize details in their graphics editing process that are improper or need improvements. The learning outcomes and satisfaction engendered by this innovative software were tested through a comparison between the experimental and control groups. In general, this software is fit for the education and training of image process courses on Adobe Photoshop.