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Cognitive Modelling for Psychology Students: An investigation of a visual approach to computer programming

for non-programmersTrevor Collins and Pat FungInstitute of Educational TechnologyThe Open UniversityMilton Keynes, UK

Email: t.d.collins/p.fung@open.ac.ukWWW: http://iet.open.ac.uk/pp/t.d.collins/research/current/hank/

June 24th, 1999 CAL RG 20th Anniversary

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Real-WorldCognition

Cognitive Theory

Cognitive Model

Psychologists propose

Psychologists buildModel

illustrates

Model mimics

Problem

• Programming by non-programmers– Psychology students build computer-based models

of cognitive psychology theories (typically in Prolog or Lisp)

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Proposed Solution

• HANK - A visual programming language designed for psychologists based on principles taken from:– End-user programming– Software visualization– Psychology of programming

(Mulholland and Watt, 1998)

http://kmi.open.ac.uk/projects/hank/

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HANK Language

• Fact cards represent factual knowledge

• Questions query knowledge

• Instruction cards represent procedural knowledge

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HANK Environment

Program window

Workspace view

Control panel

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Research Questions

• Does cognitive modelling improve peoples understanding of cognitive psychology?

• Does HANK facilitate non-programmers to build cognitive models?

• Derive a set of guiding principles to support the design of programming tools for non-programmers

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Approach

• Programming and Educational Walkthroughs– HANK and educational supporting materials

(Bell et al., 1991) (Lewis et al., 1998)

• Cognitive Dimensions– HANK (Green and Petre, 1996)

• Empirical Studies– Students’ understanding of a cognitive theory, attitudes

toward modelling and confidence in their understanding

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Timetable

Nov 98 Jan 99 Mar 99 May 99 July 99 Sept 99 Nov 99 // May 00

Project Starts

Project Ends

OU Cognitive Psychology Course Starts

OU Cognitive Psychology Course Ends

Paper-based Hank Modelling

Computer-based Hank Modelling (Residential School)

Programming and Educational Walkthroughs

Student Postal Questionnaire

Student Telephone Interviews

Student Questionnaire

Observational Studies

Students Interviews

Tutorial Diaries from Residential Tutors

Interview Regional Tutors

Pilot Study

CAL RG Conference

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Outcomes

• Programming and Educational Walkthroughs– Evaluation findings feedback into revised

• Introductory teaching material on cognitive modelling

• Recommended cognitive modelling projects

• Empirical Findings– Pilot study & Student questionnaires– Validate theoretical evaluation and revisions

• CAL RG Technical Report No. 183