European conference on cognitive ergonomics

A study from the University of Aarhus in Denmark aims to understand and design a better interface for leaning using computers. The study is aimed at learning in ubiquitous settings using empirical examples and foundations of activity theory. Courses of action, routines and strategies were studied to argue that a greater need for learning high quality routines can make the learning experience of web technologies far better. As the world progresses in the computer technology field the learning process has to follow.

A study into driver training and the trainers that teach them. A limited study was conducted to show that trainers did not have problems adapting their courses as students failed their previous assignments. Student progression was then measured based on if the trainers made their own lesson plans or if information was shared and discussed with other trainers. So far the study shows no conclusive evidence either way and a broader study is needed. There is defiantly a need for a tool to help these trainers work in collaboration.

Almost 50 students were divided in to 4 groups and asked to participate in three tests to measure the effectiveness of a low cost NVG training simulator. The tests were comprised mostly of image testing and object recognition. The studies showed that a Night Vision Goggle simulator was a viable option for NVG testing compared to the expensive NVG units themselves. The digital images in the simulator were promising and accurate enough for training situations.

Virtual learning environments of the future will surely feature argument diagramming tools which aid in reasoning and the learning process. Focus groups will be allowed to present their agreements for discussion in a text dominated drawing environment. This will allow for easier shared constructive learning with clear thoughts and rebuttals. Discussions are clearer as each user is able to follow the diagrams of thought in each argument presented. It seems that organizing collaborative information is key to making a group think and learn as one.

The key to any writing task is to minimize distractions that stop your flow. Studies show that keeping a good pace in writing is dependant on the information you have on your topic and minimizing anything that could distract you. Researching your topic is was the most cumbersome and distracting task and researchers are finding new ways to present that information to professionall writers without taking their focus away from their typing. A new Proactive Recommender System (PRS) is in the works that would analyze your current work and suggest material to you in a non obtrusive way.

Engineering and design students were given an design outline for a automobile and asked to find images that would inspire their final product. When the student came back with their image searches the whole process was studied to see how they derived at the images rather than the images themselves. The research showed that the search results were a direct co-relation to the search terms used to get there. It seems great emphasis needs to be brought to the inspirational search terms rather then the sorting of the results.

Potential users of a cognitive tool and agronomist researchers were paired up in three groups and design ideas of the tool were laid out to see how the two sides would interact. After first prototypes of the tool were released to the users for a 2 week trial they all went back to the drawing board to see how they can make it better. The study was a success in showing how the whole process would morph and grow during such an episode and how the final product was used quite differently than originally planned.

An Open Source Software project lets it guard down to let its users and developers take their own actions in the design process. The study was conducted to see how the software would evolve if they let the active participant guide themselves throughout the project rather than a standard set of guidelines. The studies found that the intervention by users in the design process made for some good ideas but it did impact the production schedule and created many barriers. It seems it is a more idealistic approach rather than practical.

A study by Chiara Rossitto and Kerstin Severinson Eklundh Royal Institute of Technology of Sweden tried to find out if your work space had an effect on your productivity. Students of the school were asked to complete different projects in various spaces and situations to see how they would respond. Students not only had to complete each task but were asked to move during these tasks to get a complete picture of a nomadic worker. Each station had different technologies and comforts available to them. The results should be interesting.

32 two people divided into two team to play a computer version of Capture the flag we studied to see how they responded in performance based on the technology given to them. The participants were studied and given various communication technologies to see how it would affect the outcome of the simulation. The study found that even though the more communication methods that were allowed the more each individual was aware more productive it did not affect their overall team performance.