Abstract/Introduction

A cognitive task analysis investigates the physical tasks, cognitive plans, and the required knowledge that a user needs in order to achieve a particular work model (MIT source).  In this paper I will perform a cognitive task analysis of Dijkstra’s Algorithm, which is famously known for being used to find the shortest distance between two points on a map.  I will then use the Functional Information Processing Model (FIPM) to discuss this task analysis.  I will first provide the facts and the necessary background information that are required to understand Dijkstra’s Algorithm.  Then I will use propositional networks, visual images, procedures and mechanisms to create a mental model and describe how Dijkstra’s Algorithm should be used and implemented.  Then I will show how these different types of knowledge representations can be used to lay the basis of a Knowledge-Based Instructional Design for teaching Dijkstra’s Algorithm to students.   Lastly, I will provide appropriate instructional strategies that make use of the different types of knowledge representation to resolve specific problems via Dijkstra’s Algorithm.