Bill,
Thanks for the ideas. I really find PCT so relevant to all these types of
issues. I have found a couple of bits of research applied to Interface
design ... and its seems like PCT is really effective. I'm trying to develop
it up to the broader environment which brings in a lot of complexity, I
hoping the PCT approach can deal with this complexity through the
identification of controlled quantities.
Also I found the below thesis( abstact below) which is on flight control and
may be of interest. It actually found that PCT based design was more
effective for learning, but not for operation in abnormal operating
conditions which doesn't seem to fit with other work. I have read parts of
the thesis and I think it was set up so PCT wouldn't come out best, but are
not as well versed in PCT as you guys are and still have a lot to learn. I'd
be interested what you guys would think as I will have to reference it....
and its probably the only research article I have found which did not find
the PCT approach better.
The link to the first 24 pages is
http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/fullcit/MQ46067
Thanks greatly Rohan Lulham,
PhD Student
Uni of Sydney Australia
TITLE:Applying ecological interface design and perceptual control theory to
the design of the control display unit
AUTHOR Chery, Sandra
A comparative evaluation of two alternative interface design approaches was
performed. The two frameworks, Ecological Interface Design (EID) and
Perceptual Control Theory (PCT), were both applied to the design of the
Control Display Unit (CDU) interface of the CH-146 helicopter. The CDU
function of radio communication was studied. A work domain analysis of the
radio communication domain and a PCT-based analysis modelling pilot-CDU
interactions were conducted. Both analyses resulted in the identification of
interface design requirements. A qualitative comparison of the similarities
and differences of these requirements was made. EID- and PCT-based
interfaces were designed based on these requirements. The effectiveness of
these interfaces was assessed by means of an analytical evaluation using
task situations of radio communications performed under normal and abnormal
circumstances. The evaluation demonstrated that both interfaces supported
radio exchanges under normal operations. However, the EID interface
permitted support for diagnostic activities during abnormal operations
whereas the PCT interface failed to do so.
···
-----Original Message-----
From: Control Systems Group Network (CSGnet)
[mailto:CSGNET@LISTSERV.UIUC.EDU]On Behalf Of William Williams
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2001 11:32 PM
To: CSGNET@LISTSERV.UIUC.EDU
Subject: Re: PCT and the Physical Environment
{ From : Bill Williams 3 September 20001 8:15 CST ]
Rohan Lulhan : PCT Physical Environment
This may not be applicable to the problems with which you are concerned, but
when I was a flight instructor I found that control theory can be used in a
number of ways. For one thing it provides the instructor with explainations
of
the student's behavior that otherwise would be puzzling. A
stimulus-response
explaination doesn't explain what is going on when a student begins to
reorganize and behaves in a somewhat random manner. Neither does an S-R
scheme
explain why a student generates oscilations when fatigured. When an
instructor
explains a task in terms of the perceptions that a student should control
for,
rather than what the student should do, learning takes place much more
rapidly.
These examples may not apply to the problems which you are concerned, but
maybe
you could elaborate some about what applications you have in mind?
best
Bill Williams
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