This seminar-style course will explore the underlying research, practical uses, and tools of cognitive modeling for HCI. It will concentrate on predictive human performance modeling, that is, modeling techniques that can make predictions about human performance on interactive systems before they are implemented, and can therefore be used as a design method. Structured around reading relevant research papers and using different methods (including recently-developed tools) to produce models, students will learn the state-of-the-art of cognitive modeling. The strengths and limitations will be examined, both of the underlying theories and the current tools. Students will lead discussions based on readings and present their own models in class.
