Symposium: ICT4D and the learning sciences

Over the last two decades, the learning sciences have contributed immensely to curricula-based learning in formal environments. Recently, there is an increased emphasis on learning that occurs outside formal institutions, especially through the use of technology. Design experiments and design-based research have resulted in several innovations and in an overall conception of designing and researching new learning environments. Not surprisingly, technology has been a critical component of research and teaching. Yet, this focus has primarily been on developed nations in the West. Recently the participation from other areas of the world, especially Africa, Asia, the Middle East, has been on the increase while the community of researchers and scholars is internationalizing. One area of innovation that has not been part of the community but which we wish to bring to focus through our symposium is the use of information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) in emerging economies

Comparison of Cognitive Modeling and User Performance Analysis for Touch Screen Mobile Interface Design

The aim of this study is to analyze and comparatively evaluate the usability of touch screen mobile applications through cognitive modeling and end-user usability testing methodologies. The study investigates the accuracy of the estimated results of a cognitive model produced for touch screen mobile phone interfaces. A mobile wallet application was chosen as the mobile software. The CogTool modeling tool was used as the cognitive modeling method. Eight tasks were determined and user tests were conducted in a usability laboratory with 10 participants. The tasks were compared on the basis of step time and total task completion time. This study reveals that CogTool gives approximate estimations with actual user performance on touch screen mobile phone application interfaces. However, if there are special cases in the tasks such that users are very accustomed to the steps or decision-making that is involved in the tasks, the Think Operation in CogTool should be modified