This document presents hypotheses about how much understanding a user needs to perform skillfully using a computer or a computer program. A framework for characterizing user understanding is presented which includes three criteria for evaluating the representation generated during problem solving: (1) internal coherence--whether the components of…

Arguing that sufficient theory exists about the interplay between human information processing, computer systems, and the demands of various tasks to construct useful theories of human-computer interaction, this study presents a structural model of human-computer interaction and reports the results of various statistical analyses of this model.…

One of the responsibilities of the National Science Foundation (NSF) is to support the effective dissemination of scientific information. The performance of this responsibility requires NSF to evaluate alternative information systems/services which are proposed for this purpose. This responsibility necessitates making decisions which are similar…

Describes the philosophy of intelligent instructional systems and presents an example of such a system, BLOCKS. The notion of BLOCKS as a paradigmatic system is explicated from both the system development and educational points of view. (Author/VT)

Presents a conceptual framework for the development of decision support systems which outlines abstractions involved in the decision-making process and describes various functions and components of the system. The computer architecture is described and an example of an application is provided. (31 references) (Author/CLB)

Discussion of intelligent tutoring systems highlights various instructional models which emphasize experiential interactions. Topics discussed include computer assisted instruction; instructional strategies; the TICCIT system; branching; the Socratic method; definitions of tutoring and instruction; students' interactions with the computer; advisor…

Based on systematic observations of five experienced online searchers, this model compares two searching styles: operationalist, which aims at optimal strategies to achieve precise retrieval and uses a large range of system capabilities, and conceptualist, which analyzes the request by seeking to fit it into a faceted structure. (13 references)…

Discusses theory of mental models--i.e., representations of relationships within a system which enable the user to produce mental simulations of the system's actions and develop ways of dealing with it--and its implications for user training, interface design, and overall systems design. (EJS)

Assesses the appropriateness of GUIs (graphical user interfaces), more specifically Windows-based interfaces for CD-ROM. An evaluation model is described that was developed to carry out an expert evaluation of the interfaces of seven CD-ROM products. Results are discussed in light of HCI (human-computer interaction) usability criteria and design…

Introduces a new model for analyzing teachers' conversations in computer-mediate communication (CMC) based on information from Bakhtin (1981), Freire (1993), social identity theory, psychological capital, cultural consciousness, and CMC theoretical frameworks. Considers CMC and human-computer interaction (HCI) to address cultural differences that…

Presents evidence to show that the body plays a continuing and fundamental part in the process of thinking and the development of the knowledge used to think. Topics discussed include knowledge structures and representations; artificial intelligence; feeling; learning processes; models of knowledge; information retrieval; and implications for…

Proposes a discourse analysis model of student-computer interaction, which, by viewing the student and the computer as two participants in a dialogue, provides the necessary elements and structures to describe computer-assisted language learning (CALL) discourse, analyze data from student-computer interaction, and compare CALL activities with…

Discusses human/computer interaction research, human/computer interface, and their relationships to information literacy. Highlights include communication models; cognitive perspectives; task analysis; theory of action; problem solving; instructional design considerations; and a suggestion that human/information interface may be a more appropriate…

Because of the lack of error-free, on-task performance by young children, cognitive modeling has not generally been considered an appropriate technique for characterizing computer use by young children. It is argued that cognitive modeling can be a useful strategy for organizing data on children's performance when the domain being studied is…

Addressing the need for a framework to distinguish the conditions under which different types of educational computing environments are productive, this paper proposes a cognitively based Contextual Analysis Framework consisting of two primary elements: (1) conceptual characteristics of the knowledge domain being learned, including the complexity…