Computer System Unlearning in Individuals

For employees, additional processing, retention and acquisition of specific knowledge to perform tasks is necessary to remain current. Continual computer modifications have created difficulties for individuals who must unlearn, store and use new knowledge processes to update the old. The amount of wasted time, additional energy and resources required increases when actions fail to be updated through unlearning. Confusion regarding the unlearning process remains a persistent problem because research has been limited and uses inconsistent or anecdotally based definitions. This qualitative study: 1) collected descriptive unlearning characteristics, 2) proposed a definition of the unlearning process in routinized computer actions. 93 weekly-spaced interviews with 31 participants were collected and categorized the process into unlearning experiences and perceptions. One Hundred-Seven participant quotations referred to Experimentation in unlearning of their old Window system/application. Perceptions focused on feelings of Technological Upset versus Technological Ease during unlearning. In addition, participants suggested unlearning is facilitated by the availability of support, experimentation opportunities and reduction in time constraints. From study results, unlearning was demonstrated as an important concept required during the updating and specific knowledge acquisition of computer interfaces.