MENTAL MODEL
Definition
A “representation” in memory of information that has been acquired
Functions
Manipulate the system
Helping to select, filter
Helping to make decisions
Organize new knowledge as it is acquired
Theoritical Underpinnings
Constructivism
Cognitivism
Types
Proscriptive
Speculative
Predictive
Live Info-Heavy Modeling
Representational
Asserts (help) that the learners make meanings in their own minds
The study of the human mind, awareness and mental functions, especially the Dual Channel Model with strategies to maintain cognitive load
Describes, articulates, renders coherent, illustrates and defines
Anticipates, proposes trend lines, predicts and project/forecasts
Defines how something should be ideally
Proposes an un-testable thesis, purely theoretical
Live, dynamic, and multi-variate information into a semi-coherent larger view / visualization
Design Mental Model
Define the learning objectives and outcomes
Define the relevant terminology and nomenclature
Define the foundational realities
Define the range of possible variables and measures
Identify a learning domain
Define relevant processes within the model
Prototype and build the mental model while considering and adhering to mental modeling standards
Applications of Mental Model
Pre-learning
Human facilitation/automated facilitation
Recursive reasoning about other people’s reasoning
Pre- and post-testing
Decision making
Takeaways and downloadables
Inferring probabilities
Mental Model & HCI
A set of beliefs about how a system works
To describe how a system is designed and implemented on the basis of designer’s mental model
The user develops a mental model of how he/she thinks the system works through interaction of system
Used to reason about the system, to anticipate system behavior and to explain the system reaction
The designer materialises his/her mental model of a given design which becomes the only means of conveying his/her mental model to the user
Application of Mental Model in Software Design
Flexibility
Feedback
Availability
Safety
Familiarity
Affordances
Simplicity
Interface design should simplify actual computer functions
An interface should allow users to build on prior knowledge
An interface should provide visual cues, reminders, list of choices and other aids, either automatically or on request
A system should support alternate interaction techniques, allowing users to choose the method of interaction that is most appropriate to their situation
An interface should provide complete and continuous feedback about the results of actions
A user's actions should cause the results the user expects
Affordances provide clues to how an object can be used
Limitations & Challenges
It rely on a variety of abstract concepts and processes
Highly subjective
Mental model seem to be very delicate
Between cognitive science and human computer interaction, there are marked differences in term of their purpose and commercial feasibility