Chapter 13 - Ecological Information Systems and Support of Learning: Coupling Work Domain Information to User Characteristics

Abstract

This chapter presents a framework for design of work support systems for a modern, dynamic work environment in which stable work procedures are replaced with discretionary tasks and the request of continuous learning and adaptation to change. In this situation, classic task analysis is less effective and a framework is therefore presented in the chapter for work analysis, separating a representation of the work domain, its means and ends, its relational structure, and the effective task strategies among that the user may choose, from a representation of the users' general background, resources, cognitive style, and subjective preferences. The aim is to design work support systems that leave the freedom open to a user to choose a work strategy that suites the user in the particular situation. An important feature of this ecological approach to system design for support of effective learning under changes in a dynamic environment is therefore a human-work interface directed toward a transparent presentation of the action possibilities and functional/intentional boundaries and constraints of the work domain relevant for typical task situations and user categories.