Learning Consistent, Interactive, and Meaningful Task-Action Mappings: A Computational Model

Within the field of human-computer interaction, the study of the interaction between people and computers has revealed many phenomena. For example, highly interactive devices, such as the Apple Macintosh, ore often easier to leorn and use than keyboard-based devices such OS Unix. Similarly, consistent interfaces are easier to learn and use than inconsistent ones. This article describes on integroted cognitive model designed to exhibit a range of these phenomena while learning task-action mappings: action sequences for achieving simple goals, such OS opening o file in a word processor. The model, called TAL, is of a user who is familior with the basic operations of a keyboord and mouse. but unfamiliar with the particular menu structures, words, and actions required to use the device. The model is constructed in Soar and employs a single set of architectural mechanisms. It exhibits behavior that captures human preference for consistent, interactive, and meaningful task-action mappings.