Cognitive Design

The frequency and duration of exposure to information as well as the length of the rest period between exposures all impact how well we can learn new information.

Balancing these variables to optimize memory function or “managing your learning schedule” is well beyond most of us and even the most well intentioned instructors-  until now.  A new type of memory enhancer that uses adaptive algorithms are beginning to appear. Technology Review has a good article, An App so you’ll never forget, that focuses on the latest,  a new iPhone app smart.fm.  Definitely cognitive design in action.

Check out this short video on the science behind smart.fm

Check out David Rock’s new book,  Your Brain at Work. The format is perfect for cognitive designers looking for potential insights into the needs of psychologically overtaxed professionals. It is in story form and infused with basic brain and cognitive science.  The book offers an array of tactics for copying with uncertainty, conflicting priorities, difficult relationships, information overload, unfairness, ego, the constant flow of emergencies and so on. The tactics are interesting but the real value for designers is the psychographic read-out of some deep, unmet cognitive (intellectual, emotional, motivation, volitional) needs in the workforce. This is a potential goldmine (or at least a good starting hypothesis) for those interested in remaking organization to fit how our minds work.

I will blog later offering a taxonomy of cognitive needs I extract from the book. I also plan to understand his research methods and do a literature search to seek supporting or countering views.

Tools of the mind is an interesting approach to teaching young children to improve their capacity for self regulation (control of social, emotional and cognitive behaviors) via dramatic game play.

The approach, based on the work of Vygotsky, is highlighted in a NYT article, Can the Right Kinds of Play Teach Self Control.

“In one experiment, 4-year-old children were first asked to stand still for as long as they could. They typically did not make it past a minute. But when the kids played a make-believe game in which they were guards at a factory, they were able to stand at attention for more than four minutes. In another experiment, prekindergarten-age children were asked to memorize a list of unrelated words. Then they played “grocery store” and were asked to memorize a similar list of words — this time, though, as a shopping list. In the play situation, on average, the children were able to remember twice as many words. Bodrova and Leong say they see the same effect in Tools of the Mind classrooms: when their students spend more time on dramatic play, not only does their level of self-control improve, but so do their language skills.”

It is easy to imagine extending this effect with a properly designed video game.   My real hope it that some if this will transfer to building self regulatory strength in adults

Small, light, dry, and wireless neurofeedback system for $1300. Looks like a simple single-channel EEG system but might be enough to do some basic cognitive training with. The vendor, ICAP Technologies,  has a strong “new age” orientation that may turn some people off.  However, if the technology is reliable it could be a great way to give people a quick path to their first experience in using technology to externalize and modify mental states.

Here is a screen shot:

Would love to talk to someone that has made the purchase.  

The Dana Foundation continues to make strides towards increasing public awareness and effectiveness on all things cognitive. Check out their new site Your Brain at Work focused on workplace learning challenges.  They cover many of the issues we have on this blog including learnability of devices, chronobiology (time of day effects) and more.  They provide solid tips for becoming a better learner and even offer a memory challenge.

Cognitive designers will be especially interested in the articles on why music moves us, why it is hard to unlearn false facts and brain/body fitness.

[Click Here to View Magazine]

Stanford’s Center on Longevity released a statement providing guidance on the effectiveness of products that claim to improve mental fitness. The statement has been under development for a year and is endorsed by “30 of the world’s finest cognitive and brain scientists”.  

A press release, Cognitive and Brain Experts Urge Consumer Caution on Memory Fitness Products, summarizes the statement. A full copy can be found here.

If you don’t want to read the report, here is the the bottom line:

(more…)

The market for software-based training that promises to improve your visual recognition, memory and other basic cognitive functions is growing, at least according to a new report from SharpBrains. The report, The State of The Brain Fitness Software Market 2009, claims the current market is $285M and could exceed $1B by 2015. 

It is a bit pricey ($1295) but you can read the 10 main conclusions for free.  Interest is growing, applications are spreading but outcomes are unclear.   

I am still waiting for a browser plugin or widget for my Word Processor that painlessly builds brain training into my everyday work routine. 

Making things that work the way our brains/minds do is a big part of what cognitive design is all about.  Not only do we want products, services, programs and experiences that are brain-compatible we want ones that help us achieve specific emotional and intellectual (or mental) states. 

Here is an example of what I mean. Human Bionics is working with the Department of Homeland Security to develop a music-based program to help first responders combat the stress and anxiety of their job and mentally “stay at the top of their game while working”.

The ability of music to stimulate emotions, trigger specific memories and otherwise impact our cognition is an active area of research.  What is cool about this application, is that they are making music from the first responder’s own brainwaves and using that to induce calm and lower anxiety.

This so-called brain music, is described in Cerebral Melodies, a science and technology snapshot from Homeland Security. 

You can hear a sample here and read an interview they gave to MSNBC here. I am in the process of looking up the patents to see what I can learn about the algorithms they use to translate EEG signals into musical notes and scores that change mental states.    

Posit science just released the IMPACT study, the largest ever clinical trial aimed at evaluating the effects of systematic brain training on memory and processing speed in older adults.

The results included increased processing speed on the training task, a 10-year memory improvement and a positive impact on daily living tasks (e.g. I can remember what I need to get at the store without writing it down).

The IMPACT study provides evidence that age-related cognitive decline can be delayed or reversed. This is an important finding for designers focused on creating services, products and experiences for older adults.

Check out a demo here.