Barbara Beccue

The gender factor in virtual reality navigation and wayfinding

An area of interest that remains to be more thoroughly investigated is that of human navigation and wayfinding in VR. This study attempted to examine the effect of gender on VR navigation and wayfinding. A tool named virtual reality navigation tool (VRNT) was designed to conduct experiments for this research. Four experiments were conducted to track navigational patterns employed by the subjects while interacting with the 3D-maze environment. As each subject was performing a prescribed task, the VRNT was tracking navigational behavior, specifically, the number of turns taken, time spent and the number and order of rooms traversed. The analysis of the tracking revealed some common navigational behaviors. The study results suggest that the tendency to take left and right turns is influenced by gender; whereas, the time traveled and numbers of rooms visited are not.

Evaluating students in systems development group projects

Evaluating students in group projects is difficult. Both the end products of the group and the individual contributions of each group member must be evaluated in a fair manner. This paper will describe a set of evaluation procedures for a systems development group project. The procedures have three main features. First, the procedures structure the evaluation by partitioning the project grading into small components. Second the procedures incorporate the use of grading sheets for the group documentation at each project milestone. Third, the procedures provide for an interaction between the performance of the group and the performance of individual students in determining each individuals project grade. These procedures provide periodic feedback, allow students to clearly see how the project evaluation will be done, and encourage some objectivity and consistency in the grading process.

Effect of visualization on the decision maker when using analytic hierarchy process

The objective of this research work was to investigate the effect of the inclusion of visual cues in the decision making process when using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). An important aspect of this research was to investigate the sensitivity of consistency as measured by AHP when visual cues were incorporated. An experiment was designed in the application area of Speech Pathology. The research design included the development of a hierarchical representation of the factors; stress, rate, intonation and articulation; involved in the problem of evaluating the intelligibility of speakers and a multimedia application based on the devised hierarchy to support the decision making process. The control group used audio alone while the experimental group used both audio and full motion video to judge the speakers. The statistical analysis of the results show that the inclusion of visual cues significantly improve the consistency of the decision maker for the research problem selected.<<ETX>>

Training for Users as a Management Issue

End-user computing is a prevalent and important aspect of an organizations business operations. For users to be as productive as possible, IS managers must ensure that users are trained properly in all areas of computing. This article offers an example of an extensive data base training program that teaches both computing skills and concepts.

Updating systems development courses to incorporate fourth generation tools

In an effort to dramatically increase productivity, many companies are incorporating fourth generation tools into their approaches to system development. The current level of use of these tools in industry indicates that universities need to update appropriate courses, especially systems development courses, to reflect these new directions. This paper will describe the environments that are currently being used in developing systems. It will also discuss ways to update the systems development courses to incorporate the teaching of these new approaches and their corresponding tools.

Assessing the Impact of Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP): A Reading Technique

Currently there is a vast amount of information available on the World Wide Web (WWW). When trying to traverse this space, human reading speed and comprehension are limiting factors. These factors may be affected by poor website design and inconsistent presentation of text styles which can result in screen illegibility and disinterest on the part of the users. Most computer-based reading tools use book metaphors to display information. As designers continue to rely on mechanical-age paradigms, they are often blinded to the potential of the computer to do a task in a better, albeit different, way. The main objective of this research was to investigate the impact of a different reading technique (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) on reading speed and comprehension.

User interface design for virtual reality: a research tool for tracking navigation

In the rapidly developing area of user interface design (UID), the existing knowledge and understanding of UID serves as a basis for further research and study of factors affecting users as they interact with interfaces that utilize the technology of multimedia, virtual reality and intelligent agents. Navigation is one of the factors that is being investigated to help designers develop user interfaces that are effective and efficient for the users. This paper describes a web-based navigation tool developed to support research into factors that affect navigational decisions in a virtual reality environment. The tool, VR Navigation Research Tool (VRNRT), allows the design and exploration of three-dimensional worlds and provides for navigational tracking. When using VRNRT, the structure of the virtual worlds is confined to 3D mazes. VRNRT enables researchers to customize experiments that allow for testing a subjects navigational and spatial behavior.

Entity relationship models as a tool for data analysis and design

Many tools have been developed to aid in the systems analysis and design process. These same tools are used in teaching to help students better understand the process. This paper will discuss ways in which one tool, Entity Relationship (ER) models, can be used in teaching data analysis and design. The role of ER models in database design will be reviewed. ER models will be considered as a framework for also dealing with file design. An example of an ER model will be given with a description of how it might be used in discussing file design issues with students.

The role of fourth generation tools in systems development (abstract only)

Recently many fourth generation tools have become available for commercial use. Many companies are using these new tools which automate portions of the application development process. Companies are experimenting with new approaches to systems development. Information Centers and prototyping are two of the new approaches which incorporate fourth generation tools. The potential impact of fourth generation tools on the training of systems analysts will be discussed. Attempts to organize material about these tools for effective presentation will be described.