Cognitive Task Modelling for System Design and Evaluation in Nonroutine Task Domains
Nikolaos M. Avouris, Nikolaos K. Tselios · Human factors and ergonomics · 2003
This chapter concerns task-based design and evaluation of computer environments to support non-routine tasks, like exploratory learning and problem solving. Non-routine tasks are characterised by exponential growth of expected task structures. Ways of tackling the complexity of this task structure is the objective of the described approach. The proposed development life-cycle involves a model-driven requirements specification, design and implementation phase, followed by a field study evaluation phase. During the latter phase, evaluation of the effectiveness of the system in supporting the expected typical tasks is measured and new requirements are derived that modify the original design. This spiral design process is supported by appropriate tools. Such tools typically allow expression of the designer expectations, concerning user cognitive tasks. Subsequently, during field studies, the tools support tracking of user interaction and inferring cognitive task models, which are matched against the original designer’s assumption on the user cognitive models. In this chapter a survey of application of cognitive modelling techniques in the design of systems involving non-routine tasks is attempted first. Subsequently, an outline of a proposed design and evaluation framework and the related tools are described. Existing cognitive task modelling techniques like Hierarchical Task Analysis have been adapted, in the frame of the reported framework, in order to be used effectively for expression of both the designer model and the user task model concerning observed interaction. Examples of application of the developed techniques and tools in the design and evaluation of open problem solving environments are also described.