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Chapter 7
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61350-516-8.ch007
INTRODUCTION
Marois (2005) provided a precise example to
demonstrate information storage capabilities of
human brain: “During our lifetime, our brain will
have amassed 10
9
to 10
20
bits of information, which
is more than fifty-thousand times the amount of
text contained in the U.S. Library of Congress,
or more than five times the amount of the total
printed material in the world!” (p. 30). Despite
this limitless capacity, we cannot process every
piece of information provided to us or store this
information in our long-term memory. The reason
for not being able to utilize the whole capacity
of the brain is still a question to be answered.
However, researchers are trying to explain how
brain functions physiologically and cognitively
to process information. While neuroscientists
are trying to answer the puzzling questions about
the physiological functioning of brain, cognitive
researchers study cognitive information processes.
Both types of research provide critical information
about human learning processes and in particular
the ways of integrating multiple modes into user
interface design and the effects of this integration
on information processing.
Cognitive psychologists drew attention to
limited capacity of human brain and the impor-
tance of selective utilization of users’ cognitive
resources for effective presentation (Sweller,
Serkan Özel
Bogazici University, Turkey
Utilizing Cognitive Resources
in User Interface Designs
ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on multiple representations and cognitive perspective about presenting information
via different modes in user interface design. Research studies indicate that providing accurate represen-
tations increases users’ recognition of information. Moreover, presentation of one concept in multiple
modes improves concept acquisition. Developing an understanding of how concept acquisition occurs
requires knowledge about cognitive information processing and brain functioning. Scientifc studies
related to brain functioning will enlighten the path in front of cognitive psychology while the cognitive
psychology research will advance the knowledge base on information processing.