KNOWLEDGE INTERFACING IN CYBERSPACE

The WWW is basically an access phenomenon: it provides easily accessib le information to users for different purposes. How to design informat ion for the web is the challenge faced by cognitive ergonomics today. To help frame this challenge, two models are presented: a web interact ion model and a web information design model. These capture what are c onsidered to be central features of information design that need to be addressed in the field. The web interaction model involves knowledge expression on the part of the information provider and knowledge build ing on the part of the user, both channeled through the person's cogni tive structure. Information on the web is categorized as data, complex information, or process and characterized along dimensions of coheren ce and dynamics. These are the elements that impact knowledge interfac ing. The principal concern for web information design is the less inte ntional nature of the communication involved and the interest-driven n ature of web navigation. Both present difficulties for the traditional task-oriented design model of ergonomics. The web information design model presented considers the what (selection) and the how (representa tion) of information. It suggests focusing on three design spaces in t erms of access, interest, and transaction structures. These are the fi lters that need design attention. The two models provide groundwork fo r further discussion of the issues raised and will hopefully encourage further modeling that will help establish this emerging field of know ledge technology as a prime concern of cognitive ergonomics.