Saša Mladenović

Information System User Interface Complexity

This paper examines problems and solutions related to the integration of the HCI perspective in software engineering and production. The goal is to bridge the gap between software engineers and HCI professionals by improving mutual understanding of their respective fields of interest. An information system is a complex system that can be modelled by means of the multilevel theory. The user interface design is a design problem without a single proper solution. There is no standard user interface look and feel, so that a multilevel user interface model is proposed. The user interface design is approached through hierarchical levels making it possible to choose between multiple developments methodologies. Case study: A highway automatic toll collection system user interface design proves that the multilevel approach can bridge the gap between developers and designers making team members use their respective strong points.

Continuously self-adjusting fuzzy cognitive map with semi-autonomous concepts

Abstract Fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) are distributed computation systems used for qualitative modelling and behaviour simulation. Constructing an FCM is a time-consuming process and the quality of the resulting map is difficult to assess. In this paper we propose an extension to FCMs that self-adjusts the FCM based on real data from the modelled system. The self-adjusting FCM (SAFCM) changes the cause–effect relationships and concept inferences for each system data point with the goal of reducing the error between real data and values produced by the map. In this way, the burden of map construction imposed on the map builder is reduced and the initially constructed map can be evaluated by examining the degree of change caused by the self-adjustment. We tested the SAFCM on two case studies where we measured the degree of change to the initial map structure set up by an expert. The experiments showed that the self-adjusted maps produced results that were closer to real data than the maps that were initially set up by the expert. We also compared the SAFCM to a basic FCM and to an FCM that used a standard learning algorithm. The results showed that our algorithm had higher accuracy.

System for automatic generation of algorithm visualizations based on pseudocode interpretation

Algorithm visualization systems have not been as widely adopted by computer science educators as it might be expected from the firm belief that they can enhance computer science education. Two key impediments for widely adopting AV technology in mainstream computer science are: effectiveness and enhancements of learning with visualization and effort needed to create algorithm visualizations. In this paper, we present the interpretation based system capable of automatic creation of algorithm visualizations by interpreting unmodified algorithms written in pseudocode. Although system is interpreting unmodified source code (code without any annotations for triggering appropriate visualization routines), due to the ability to automatically detect interesting events system is able to create visualizations at a sufficiently high level of abstraction so that the emphasis is on algorithmic conceptually relevant principles. Providing users with full control over input data set and by accompanying animation with explanatory messages, highlighting currently executing pseudocode line and providing possibility to inspect variable values at any step visualizations created by our system that can enhance learning and help students mastering algorithms basic concepts.

Mediated transfer from visual to high-level programming language

Visual programming languages (VPLs) are becoming more popular and making the transition from the informal to conventional educational settings. One of the important features of VPL is that novices are not required to remember a list of commands or complex syntax since everything they need is just there in the environment. The objective of introductory computer programming courses at the university is to teach students how to develop solutions in high-level computer programming languages such as C#. However, they also need to acquire problem-solving skills. Since computer programming and problem-solving are both challenging, schools and universities often make use of VPLs combined with game-based programming. Students will eventually need to transfer programming concepts learnt from VPL into a high-level programming language. A transition from VPL to the text-based high-level programming language is not seamless and additional tools and efforts are required. This paper presents prototypes we have developed for undergraduate university students to enable mediated transfer from VPL to high-level programming language by using the idea of mini-languages.

An approach to universal interaction on the case of knowledge transfer

This paper presents an approach to universal interaction which can be used for robot knowledge acquisition and transfer of acquired knowledge between different robots. There are similarities between human and machine learning techniques so learning by demonstration and conceptual learning were used as a basis for demonstrating our proposed type of interaction. Advantages and limitations of proposed interaction are described and discussed. Also, empirical study to test our approach was carried out and results are presented and analyzed.

Extending the object-oriented notional machine notation with inheritance, polymorphism, and GUI events

Learning to program is a challenging task. Novices need to have an accurate understanding of the program execution at the conceptual level provided by the programming language. This level of execution is often referred to as the notional machine, which is often easier to understand through program visualizations.

Learning from Each Other: An Agent Based Approach

This paper presents an agent based approach to knowledge representation and learning methods. Agent architecture is described and discussed, together with its advantages and limitations. Main purpose of the proposed approach is to gain further insight in current teaching methods with a foremost aspiration for their improvement. Two different experimental studies were conducted; the first one addressing knowledge representation and the second one regarding knowledge transfer between agents. Obtained results are presented and analysed.

Information system user interface complexity

This paper examines problems and solutions related to the integration of the HCI perspective in software engineering and production. The goal is to bridge the gap between software engineers and HCI professionals by improving mutual understanding of their respective fields of interest. An information system is a complex system that can be modelled by means of the multilevel theory. The user interface design is a design problem without a single proper solution. There is no standard user interface look and feel, so that a multilevel user interface model is proposed. The user interface design is approached through hierarchical levels making it possible to choose between multiple developments methodologies. Case study: A highway automatic toll collection system user interface design proves that the multilevel approach can bridge the gap between developers and designers making team members use their respective strong points.