Interface Design: A Focus on Cognitive Science

This paper studies the issue of cognitive load theory and its implications to teaching interface design principles in a GUI or Interface Design course. The quality of interface design will increase effectiveness of human performance if working memory is emphasized. Cognitive science research in cognitive load raises interesting questions of an individual's memory load and its relevance to computer based models. It describes structures of information processing from long term memory, which stores knowledge and skills to using working memory that enable the individual to perform tasks that are embedded in a computer interface. This review focuses on the concept of cognitive load theory based on research by John Sweller and others in the field that brought this theory to the forefront. The issues of split attention and redundancy effects from information, spatial learning in real life situations versus computer simulation and exploration space control in reference to computer based systems is reviewed for enriching the interface design curriculum. This paper will review the issues of cognitive load theory and its relevance for developing computer based interface systems and models