Week 10 - Cognition and design cognition

The readings for this week have been modified. For an overview on cognitive theories we have Svinicki (not Hunt although Hunt goes into more detail on how memory works) and a chapter from the book How People Learn that gives an overview of what we understand about cognition. Everyone should read these 2 (they are enjoyable reads) and then pick one of the following as an example of a study of "design cognition". One of the things you may notice is that reflective practice won't be a focus of these papers, this is because this is an idea that falls under the theories of situated cognition (which will be the focus for week 11).

Remember to use the blog comment box to identify which one of these you will read - and try to "pair up" so you have someone to talk through the paper with.

Examples:

• Huang - generating idea sketches through neural network systems
• Ball and Christensen - analogical reasoning
• Kim et al - creativity and limited commitment mode control strategy (e.g., Goel and Pirolli)
• Jin and Cusilp - mental iteration
• Kokovitch - mind mapping thinking tools
• Purcell and Gero - fixation

Key questions for discussion:

• In general, what can cognitive theories tell us about how people learn?
• What can they help us understand about how and why people design in the ways they do?
• What are some implications for understanding and/or facilitating design learning?

Oh yeah - the paper for the analysis we looked at in Week 9 (ping pong vs. streetcrossing) is in Blackboard for Week 9 (Adams-DTRS6).