Educational Design and Learning - The Next Frontier for Human Factors/Ergonomics - Panel Summary

Abstract

The purpose of this panel is to: (1) introduce the field of educational ergonomics as that branch of human factors/ergonomic (HF/E) science concerned with the interaction of educational performance—learning and teaching—and educational design; (2) address the role that HF/E can play in improving the design of educational technology, interfaces, materials, task requirements, and environments to benefit the performance of students, teachers, and educational systems; and (3) offer differing perspectives on strategic options for broadening the participation of HF/E in the science and practice of education and educational design. The premise of educational ergonomics is that learning and teaching performance to a substantial degree is context specific—specialized in relation to specific educational system design factors—and that ergonomic interventions directed at design improvements therefore can benefit the educational process.