On Models and their Rôle in the Use of Computers

Abstract

When studying systems development projects a lack of consideration for training and education is often observed. A typical reason is that management is unwilling to spend the money required; all they will offer is a short introduction to ''how to push the buttons''. The hypothesis brought forward in this paper is that there is a lack of understanding for the necessity to deal with training and education already during the design process. Some vendors are aware of this situation. Their solution to the problem seems to be to develop computer applications which are easy to learn. The ''easy-to-learn syndrom'' leads to a tendency towards development of computer applications which are not sufficiently powerful to accomplish the tasks they have to deal with. Learnability instead of efficiency becomes the main goal. Instead I will propose this solution to the problem:

''Develop computer applications, which are easy to teach.''

A promising path to follow seems to be to base the development of a computer application on consistent conceptual models, which are based on concepts from the area of application. Such models must be developed during the systems development process to be used both for further design, during teaching and training, and during interaction with the computer application. A model for this purpose is here called a user model.

My purpose with this paper is to try to look at user models and their use mainly from the users' point of view, and from that perspective point at some paths, which lead towards a deeper understanding of the subject.