IIS SeminarIIS SeminarComputer Human Interaction: Computer Human Interaction:

Improving Computing for Improving Computing for Novice ProgrammersNovice Programmers

Cheryl SealsCheryl Seals

Auburn UniversityAuburn UniversityComputer Human Interaction LaboratoryComputer Human Interaction Laboratory

IntroductionIntroductionIn classrooms, computers are only used for drill and practice.In classrooms, computers are only used for drill and practice.

–– Reduces mundane tasksReduces mundane tasks–– Does little to Does little to develop higherdevelop higher--order reasoning and problemorder reasoning and problem--

solving skillssolving skills–– Students learn more from exploratory learning (e.g. Students learn more from exploratory learning (e.g.

simulations)simulations)

Create a new simulation creation environment thatCreate a new simulation creation environment thatempowers teachers as authors and resource developersempowers teachers as authors and resource developers

1.1. evaluate existing environmentsevaluate existing environments2.2. develop and refine a new set of tools that emphasize develop and refine a new set of tools that emphasize

minimalism and reuseminimalism and reuse

Challenges:Challenges:Teaching PracticeTeaching Practice

A segment of a larger effort to promote science A segment of a larger effort to promote science learning learning Teachers are busyTeachers are busy–– Limited time to learn new technologiesLimited time to learn new technologies–– Limited time to build materialsLimited time to build materials

Teachers won’t use software if it doesn’t meet Teachers won’t use software if it doesn’t meet their needstheir needs–– Make it easy to satisfy their specific needsMake it easy to satisfy their specific needs

Minimalist instruction which emphasizes rapid Minimalist instruction which emphasizes rapid startstart--up and meaningful tasks.up and meaningful tasks.

Research Process

Initial Requirements

IntrinsicEvaluations

EmpiricalEvaluations

Design

Prototype Formative Evaluation

Mediated Evaluation&Field Test

AgentsheetsAgentsheets

Agentsheets: more sophisticated with an environment conducive for exploration and reuse at various levels.

StagecastStagecast

Stagecast: great for simple demos,

(e.g., at the level for younger kids).

SimBuilderSimBuilder

Teacher Teacher CreationsCreations

Reuse Study Example Results

User Created Volcano Models

User Created Ocean Models User Created Photosynthesis Model

Reuse Study Example Results

User Created Volcano Models

User Created Ocean Models User Created Photosynthesis Model

Interface Design

Rules of interface design – Shniederman– Strive for consistency, informative feedback– Design dialogs to yield closure– error prevention and simple error handling– Support undo and reduce short-term memory load.

First rule of usability? Don’t listen to users – Jakob Nielson– Conducted series of experiments to become familiar with user

population and gathered user task profilesFun Learning Stagecast Creator. Seals, Rosson, Carroll, Lewis, ColsonCommunity Design of Community Simulations. Rosson, Carroll, SealsTeachers as Simulation Programmers. Rosson, Seals

Work to DoWork to Do

Usability Evaluation of Systems & Usability Evaluation of Systems & Studies with UsersStudies with Users–– Study learning, motivation, etc.Study learning, motivation, etc.User Interface DesignUser Interface DesignImprove Existing SystemsImprove Existing SystemsDevelop Systems that meet our user’s needsDevelop Systems that meet our user’s needsSupport needs with software and with virtual Support needs with software and with virtual communitiescommunities

Virtual Virtual CommunitiesCommunities

Community SimsCommunity Sims

tapped in@SRItapped in@SRI

squeakland.orgsqueakland.org