Abstract:Distributed cognition theory plays a role of instructor in Human-Computer Interaction research by coordinating interaction between human and computer and combining advantages of them. Though Resources Model based on distributed cognition theory has been successfully employed for analyzing human computer interaction, the model, to some extent, leads to confusion in the representative forms because of the absence of support to complex user tasks and correct definitions of elements. Therefore, an extended resources model (ERM) is constructed by using distributed cognition theory to connect actions with representations in Human-Computer Interaction and to guide the design and realization of interfaces. The Extended Resources Model supports actions with static constructions and interactive strategies so as to decrease human cognitive burdens of interaction. This work will be beneficial to designing interfaces according to human’s cognitive characteristics.