Cases as Minimalist Information

Abstract

Cases are evocative narrative descriptions of a specific, real-world activity, event or problem. We are investigating cases as a minimalist information design technique, that is, as a design technique that (1) orients information to facilitate user action, (2) anchors information in activity, (3) prevents, mitigates and leverages error, and (4) develops user autonomy. We describe recent experiences employing case-based learning in an undergraduate usability engineering class. We discuss the next steps in a research programme on case-based learning, and speculate on other applications of cases as minimalist information design.

ScriptABLE

“…Recognizing that people naturally seek information in order to achieve a task, tutorials and documentation designed in the minimalist fashion present information around activity, in contrast to materials that favor alternative concerns like logical decomposition and conceptual ordering. Carroll and Rosson [6] argue that case-based learning aids can naturally serve as minimalist information sources. "They provide guidance and encouragement for user action by describing specific activities, events, and problems from real world practice" [6, p. 4].…”

Community-Based Scaffolding to Promote End-User Learning

“…The library portion of the site will contain a collection of pre-built projects that aim to uncover more advanced computing concepts, like those mentioned earlier. We intend to provide cases written in a verbose and conversational style (à la literate programming [5]) so that they serve as minimalist instruction materials [1].…”

Distributed collaborative homeworks: Learning activity management and technology support

“…Case materials help learners to engage with domain content and to vicariously experience domain practices and situated concepts through a narrative [Carroll & Rosson, 2006]. These cases also serve as models for students of how core concepts can be applied in practice.…”