PRANJAL SAXENA

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Y9424                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                  HOMEWORK 1

                                              How do I type  a text message on mobile using a standard keypad??

 

   AIM:

  To describe the thought process associated with performing the task of typing a text message on mobile on a standard keypad. Also, to analyse the sensory inputs required and the mental representations and thought processes associated with this task.

 

  SENSES INVOLVED:

1.         The basic sense of touch aroused by holding the mobile phone in the hand is the initial sensory input in performing the mentioned task. The most comfortable position of holding is placing the palm at the back and letting the thumb do the typing, as shown in the figure. After this, the process of finding the right letters  is done by the visual input where the the information pertaining to the location of the letters on the keys  is sent to the brain through the optical nerves.

                                                                                                                                                         canstock4769605.jpg

  THE ACTUAL PROCESS:

2.        Considering a simple string of words like "Where r u", we search for the initial starting letter on the alphanumeric keypad, our brain has developed a mental representation whereby it relates the positioning of the letter on the key with how many times in succession the key has to be pressed. For instance, we press the 8 key two times to type  the letter 'U' that  features in the chunk 'TUV' of the key 8 as can be seen in the figure.

                        An interesting aspect here is that the time lag that features in order to write 2 letters on the same key, To type "Tu", the brain transmits a signal to the fingers to wait for that extra  iota of a second more so as to not overwrite the 't' letter with 'u' .Our brain generates a mechanism to achieve and develop this optimum waiting time with practise,  for instance I used to move my   thumb away from the key for that fraction of a second to achieve that wait time.

A sample keypad is hown here. The brain views the different keys as chunks having 3 to 4 letters. To type a particular letter, a signal is sent to the muscles to press the adequate key the required number of times.
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                 t9texting.png

THE MOTOR LEARNING PROCESS:

 

3.         Initially the process occurs by searching for the right letter on the keypad(done by vision), then a signal is sent to the fingers to traverse to that key and press it the required number of times. However, after a  representation is formed of the entire keypad in the mind, we are able to relate the position of each letter, with our fingers automatically tuned with the apt distances to travel for the required letter and it is even possible to type entire strings without even looking at the keypad. This in particular is an example of Motor Learning where the nerve signals and the muscles of the thumb have incorporated this relatively permanent change leading to smoothness and accuracy in typing the words. An image of the keypad is stored in the Central Nervous System(CNS),  which allows us to type words in a spontaneous flow just like typing on a keyboard. However this mental representation may depend on the handset used, relating to the different spacings of the keys, it might be possible that using a new handset for the first time may feel alien and thus the spontaneity might be hindered .

           This task can have innate complexities which include emotional bent while writing a message or using symbols which once again are spontaneously inculcated and used. The language written has an inherent use of short forms, symbols, missing punctuations, grammatical errors etc. The extent of these depend on a personal front and also sometimes on factors like message length and the urge to send the message as soon as possible. However this is an everyday activity which people learn to do through practise by getting accustomed to the keypad of their handsets, making it a motor learning process.