European conference on cognitive ergonomics

To get a better understanding of cognitive ergonomics it is best to look at some of the studies that have been undertaken by scientists in the field. One study went on to research how different colors of borders on safety warning signs went on to influence user actions. Another study investigated which one of the two major keyboard types ( with and without keypad ) gave greater performance when filling out forms. These are the types of studies that are prevalent in cognitive ergonomics. While they may seem small at first the impact of the studies is quite great. How lives are saved with the right colored sign?

Cognitive Ergonomics is necessary to keep our species moving forward with complex technology. When we design complex machines and systems that our lives depend on it becomes imperative that they are used properly and efficiently. Quite often cognitive ergonomics are used when creating user interfaces for complex operating systems and machinery. Imagine a industrial plant that is mostly automated. The user interface has to be designed in such a way that human error is minimized and an order of operations that is logical. If there is poor interface one wrong human move can cost employee lives.

E-learning is a growing part of the education sector but this study goes on to explore the possibilities of high skill training using the E-learning model. A e-learning program was developed that included high skill situations and interactive experimental testing. The study found that unskilled workers were able to learn complex tasks using these methods and retained the information well enough to be a viable worker in the field despite lacking expensive more traditional training methods.

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.

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.