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Description

Covers cognitive theory from an applied perspective to understand and predict the interactions among human cognition, artifact (i.e., tools), and task. Cognitive task analysis (CTA) techniques will be taught and used throughout the course. The CTAs covered might include Cognitive Walkthru, Keystroke Level Modeling, Activity Networks, in general, and various members of the GOMS (Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection Rule) family, in particular. In addition, computational cognitive models will be introduced and used to illustrate the expressive and predictive power of computational modeling. (Note that computational modeling will not be taught in this course.) Thruout the course students will be required to read and discuss original research papers. [Note that one of my aims for this course is to teach you to discriminate between badly conducted research (damaged merchandise!) and well conducted research.]

Topics covered may include:

Visual search and visual attention

Cognitive Skill and Its Acquisition

Hard Constraints on Interactive Behavior

Human Error

Soft Constraints on Interactive Behavior

Soft Contraints on Judgment and Decision-Making Behavior

Experts & Expertise

Techniques covered may include:

Use of simulated task environments in research

Use of eye movement technology

Analysis of action log files

About the Instructor

Professor Gray will be new to RPI in the Fall of 2002. For details on his research interests and activities see his homepage. The current course is being created anew for RPI undergraduates. It will be based on a course taught to graduate students for the past 8 years. Note that all web material has recently been switched to RPI from GMU. However, I have not double-checked all of the links so if you find yourself at a deadend, be sure to notify me ASAP.

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last changed: 2002-08-25 by wdg