Mircoblogs for Things That Make Us Smart

Reference Information

Title - Things That Make Us Smart

Author - Donald A. Norman

Editors - Broadway Books(1993)

Chapter 1

Summary

Norman, in the first chapter, talks and discusses exactlly how and why technology today needs to be more human center. It can really help people, but also hinders brain growth at the same time. He discsses some technologies out there that are intended to aid peoples but usually with just confuse the thought process.

Norman goes on to discuses hard and soft sciences. The soft is about observation and classification, while hard is on physical, accurate measurements. Cognition is also talked about in two types: experiments and also reflective. Reflective deals more with decision-making and thoughts. Experimental is more about reaching people quickly

Discussion

I thought "oh great... another book by Norman" but it turns out this one might be interesting.I like the concept of discussing different technologies and how they help/hinder humans at the same time. I have always felt society is being held back by computers, as far as cognitive groth is concerned.

Chapter 2

Summary

   Here, in Chapter 2, Normans starts discussion Museums. Basically, they are intended to give visitors informative information, but they actually aren;t doing their purpose in teaching. He brings in the experimentsl and reflective cognition from the previous chapter. Norman is hoping that we can find an equal ground between the two instead of favoring one or the other. He brings in the discussion about 3 types of learning: restructing, tuning, accretion. Restructuring is forming a conceptual model, tuning deals with practicing a skill to be an expert, Accretion is being knowledable about facts.

Discussion

   I also really enjoyed this chapter by Norman. I liked his perspective of the Museums and how they are doing very little to help teach us about the past. Also, looking at those 3 times of learning was also veyr interesting to me.

Chapter 3

Summary

     Norman, in chapter 3, talked about different things and how they are represented. He also went on to talk about the effect this has on usage and also memory. The idea of using objects that are unrelated to another object that it represents is also talked about with the idea of cognietive aids.  Representations are very helpful to help capture the world around us in our own personal model. 

Discussion

   I liked Norman's views in this chapter. Cognitive aids are something unique to humans, and seem to be very useful. Personally, i use cognitive aids all the time, especially while studying. Cognitive aids could also come back and be related to object oriented programming

Chapter 4

Summary

    In the 4th chapter Norman talked about different possible cognitive artifacts. He uses several examples such as: passive vs active artifacts, and surface vs internal representations. He discusses for example, that several of these artifacts might be designed incorrectly and cause misuse. It is crucial that these artifacts enhance mental capabilities. 

Discussion

   I thought this chapter was pretty decent. I did like when Norman started talking about surface vs internal representations. It was cool so see his view on the difference between the two.