Concerned with explaining how we interact with external representations (e.g. maps, notes, diagrams) • What are the cognitive benefits and what processes involved • How they extend our cognition • What computer-based representations can we develop to help even more?

Externalizing to reduce memory load

• Diaries, reminders, calendars, notes, shopping lists, to-do lists – written to remind us of what to do • Post-its, piles, marked emails – where placed indicates priority of what to do • External representations: – Remind us that we need to do something (e.g. to buy something for mother’s day) – Remind us of what to do (e.g. buy a card) – Remind us when to do something (e.g. send a card by a certain date)

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