Learning, Memory and Attention - HCI - EPFL

Minimize learning by metaphors
• Metaphor (American Heritage Dictionary): a figure of speech in
which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is
used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison,
as in “a sea of troubles”
• (HCI purpose) The use of familiar objects to convey the
meaning of unfamiliar objects
• Purpose
- Function as natural models
- Leverages our knowledge of familiar, concrete objects/
experiences to understand abstract computer and task
concepts
• Problem
- Metaphor may portray inaccurate or naive conceptual model
of the system
Prof. Dr. Pearl Pu
5