Systemizing Colour for Conceptual Modeling

Colour is used in many conceptual models and is discussed intensively since MOODY has published his ‘Physics of Notation’. Yet, choosing the right colour for a construct is difficult but crucial. Using a colour for a certain construct which is not appropriate can lead to visual stress as well as too much or too little emphasis on that construct. The aim of this paper is to give a systematization of colour for conceptual modeling by reviewing theories of colour vision, colour harmony and visual attention. Based on this review we provide colour combinations for different conceptual modeling colour scenarios

Experiential Learning in Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Projects for Metacognition: Integrating Theory with Practice

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is an educational approach to improve workplace readiness. WIL achieves this by integrating theory with practice. The emphasis is on real experiences and practical problem-solving. Low-code platforms are a suitable teaching tool for the theory-practice integration. Yet, graduates also need metacognition to be workplace-ready. Through metacognition, students learn how to learn by deeply reflecting on their thinking. However, WIL focuses on domain learning, lesser on metacognitive thinking. This study draws on experiential learning theory to examine WIL aspects on their influence on metacognitive thinking. In a survey, we test experiential learning factors (authenticity, active learning, self-relevance, utility) and metacognition when students develop a software app. Results show that authenticity, active learning, and utility influence metacognition; however, self-relevance of the WIL does not. Consequently, IS educators should tailor the WIL to be authentic, useful, for active learning to support metacognition in low-code WIL teaching

USING SECONDARY NOTATION TO IMPROVE THE COGNITIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF BPMN-MODELS

Almost every implementation of a modeling grammar uses secondary notation to further specify a modeling grammar. Yet, secondary notation is usually applied in an unsystematic way, might contradict what is specified in primary notation and implements research results that should rather be implemented in primary notation. With this work we aim at showing how secondary notation can be used to implement recent research results that are not yet available in primary notation without contracting what is already specified in primary notation. We demonstrate a systematic update of recent research of extended Perceptual Discriminability for BPMN secondary notation and that way, show how research results can quickly be made available for practice without contradicting primary notation. We choose Perceptual Discriminability as it can be used to focus the model user’s attention on the most important constructs and can that way, improve model comprehension. For an update of BPMN secondary notation we first specify free BPMN variables and further show how these variables can be used to focus the model user’s attention on those constructs that most foster comprehension

Using Secondary Notation to Influence the Model User's Attention

Recently cognitive principles have been discussed for Conceptual Modeling with the aim to increase domain understanding, model comprehension and modeling efficiency. In particular, the principle of Perceptual Discriminability, which discusses the visual differences of modeling constructs, reveals potential for model comprehension if human attention is influenced in a way that important modeling constructs are more easily detected, and can hence faster be processed. Yet, so far no conditions how the human gaze can be influenced have been defined and evaluated for Conceptual Modeling. This dissertation extends Perceptual Discriminability for conditions to attract human attention for those constructs that are important for model comprehension. Furthermore, these conditions are applied to constructs of two different modeling grammars in general as well as to elements of the process flow of Business Process Models. To evaluate the results a laboratory experiment of extended Perceptual Discriminability is described in which significant differences have been identified for process flow comprehension. For the demonstration of the potential of extended Perceptual Discriminability BPMN secondary notation is improved by emphasizing those constructs that are most important for model comprehension. Therefore, those constructs that are important for model comprehension have been identified within a content analysis and have been worked on according to the conditions of extended Perceptual Discriminability for those visual variables that are free for an application in secondary notation.:Preface ii Abstract iii Table of contents iv Table of Figures v List of Tables vi List of Abbreviations vii Part 1 - Summary Paper 1 1. Motivation 2 2. Research design 7 2.1 Research objectives 7 2.2 Scope 9 2.3 Research method 11 3. Structure of the dissertation 13 4. Contribution to theory and practice 17 5. Future Research Ideas 19 Part 2 - Publications 20 Publication 1 21 Publication 2 22 Publication 3 23 Publication 4 24 Publication 5 25 Publication 6 26 Literature 27 Part 3 - Appendix 3