Masterclass ACT-R in Groningen

[Alexander P. M. van den Bosch]

                             FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT:

                            Hands-On Masterclass:

                        Cognitive Modeling with ACT-R 
                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                    Groningen University,  The Netherlands 

                    From Monday 7 to Friday 11 July 1997


Held as part of the second Summerschool of the Groningen Graduate School 
for Behavioural, and Cognitive Neurosciences (BCN).

Speakers

   * John R. Anderson
     Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University
   * Christian Lebiere
     Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University

Local coordinators

   * Alexander P.M. van den Bosch
     Department of Philosophy, University of Groningen
   * Niels A. Taatgen
     Cognitive Science & Engineering, University of Groningen

Course Description

The goal of this hands-on course is to provide students with a
comprehensive introduction to John Anderson's theory of the mind ACT-R and
experience in cognitive modeling. ACT-R is implemented as a simulation
system for developing cognitive models for tasks that vary from simple
serial recall to complex reasoning. In this course students receive
lectures about the theory and practice the skill of cognitive
modeling by working on assignments in an assisted practical on Unix
workstations. However, students who can bring a Macintosh Powerbook along
are encouraged to do so.

Topics include:

  1. Introduction to production systems
  2. Knowledge representation
  3. Parameters and conflict resolution
  4. Activation and Latency
  5. Learning activation parameters
  6. Learning conflict resolution
  7. Learning productions by analogy

Prerequisites

Programming experience and an introduction to cognitive psychology are
highly recommended.

Further Information & Registration

More detailed information will soon be announced on the Groningen
ACT-R homepage: http://tcw2.ppsw.rug.nl/act-r, the BCN homepage:
http://www.bcn.rug.nl, and on the ACT-R users mailing list.