Work Domain Analysis for Ecological Interface Design of Tangible Interfaces

Function Level: This domain has the abstract functions of managing information flow to the user and support instruction of the user based on this information flow. These functions will help to structure the presentation of information in an intuitive nature. Generalized Function Level: The generalized functions of this domain are distance determination, bearing determination, contour interpretation, line of sight, and route selection. These functions were chosen specifically because of their role in the learning objectives, as well as, by determining the functional areas the system requires, in the management of information flow and understanding. Physical Function Level: The physical function level refers to the components of the system that generalized functions require. The components for land navigation are: the compass tool; the line drawing tool; the protractor tool; and the Mission, Enemy, Terrain, Troops, and Time available (METT-T) tool. The compass supports distance and bearing determination, as well as land navigation during the process of dead reckoning. When an individual is trying to determine a bearing (which also requires a compass), it is possible to triangulate a position by drawing lines. The protractor tool allows the individual to get angular readings to support navigation, as when dead reckoning to determine direction and distance, which requires a protractor. The METT-T tool provides information on the terrain feature (i.e. majors / minors) as well as time-based information which could support at each level. Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2015 2015 Paper No. 15130 Page 6 of 11 Physical Form Level: The physical form level takes each one of these components and describes specific design criteria to which each must conform. This is where EID is incorporated. Below is a diagram of the abstraction decomposition space for land navigation as an example. In this case the functional purposes reside at the whole system level, as that is something that someone looking at the full system from a high level would be interested in. At the subsystem level lies the abstract functions and the generalized functions, while the physical functions reside at the component level. Understanding of Current Location, Elevation, & Map Translation Learning Flow & Information Flow Distance Determination, Bearing Determination, Contour Interpretation, Line of Sight, Route Selection METT-T Tool, Protractor Tool, Line Drawing Tool, Compass Tool Size, Shape, Color, Orientation and Control of Physical Functions Functional Purpose