Explanatory models for open-ended human-computer interaction

Design principles to support human-computer interaction outside a closed-world framework are considered. These are based on the construction of explanatory models using Empirical Modelling tools and methods devised at Warwick. The approach can be applied to interaction that is associated with evolving understanding and the acquisition of skills on the part of the user. This is illustrated with reference to a study in mathematical investigation and visualisation, and the construction of a family of interactive models that can be used to teach the heapsort sorting algorithm.