Cognitive Modelling for Psychology
Students: An investigation of a visual
approach to computer programming
for non-programmers
Trevor Collins and Pat Fung
Institute of Educational Technology
The Open University
Milton Keynes, UK
Email: t.d.collins/[email protected]
WWW: http://iet.open.ac.uk/pp/t.d.collins/research/current/hank/
June 24th, 1999
CAL RG 20th Anniversary
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Problem
• Programming by non-programmers
– Psychology students build computer-based models
of cognitive psychology theories (typically in
Prolog or Lisp)
Cognitive Theory
Psychologists
propose
Real-World
Cognition
Model
illustrates
Model
mimics
Psychologists
build
Cognitive Model
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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
Control
panel
Workspace
view
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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 nonprogrammers
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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
Project
Starts
OU Cognitive
Psychology
Course Starts
Programming and
Educational
Walkthroughs
Paper-based
Hank Modelling
Pilot
Study
Computer-based
Hank Modelling
(Residential School)
Student Postal Observational Studies
Questionnaire
Student Questionnaire
Student
Telephone
Interviews
Students Interviews
Tutorial Diaries from
Residential Tutors
Interview
Regional Tutors
CAL RG
Conference
Nov 98
Jan 99
Mar 99
May 99
OU Cognitive Project
Psychology
Ends
Course Ends
July 99
Sept 99
Nov 99 //
May 00
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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
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