Related to this, we are investigating what software people brought from home and how they are learning to use and adapt it in the field. This study involves observing as participants at Haughton and writing about our experiences. We then look for patterns in how people organize their time, space, and objects and how they relate to each other to accomplish their goals. In this study, we are focusing on learning and conceptual change. Surprisingly, we find that learning in the field mostly concerns how to use or adapt tools.
Problem solving involves gathering data using misbehaving, lost, or missing tools.
For example, a biologist must gather data about UV light in a lake, despite software problems that prevent automatic logging. We call this a model of work practice. At a field expedition such as in Haughton Crater, work is integrated with life. A model of how people work at Haughton Crater will be useful for planning and designing the Mars Arctic Research Station. A second use for a simulation model is to control the behavior of EVA robots that can collaborate with each other and the crew.