Björn Hedin

A Comparison of Presentation Methods for Reading on Mobile Phones

A study compares two methods of reading text-based content on mobile phones: traditional scroll-based reading and Rapid Serial Visual Presentation, which displays words rapidly in a sequence. University students used a prototype called Feedo to test both methods, and their reading comprehension, efficiency, and preference ratings were measured. The results show that efficiency increases with fast RSVP, comprehension is equal, and preference rating is lower than with self-paced scroll.

Using a simulator for testing and validating a newspaper production decision support system

The paper presents and discusses the use of a software simulation tool for testing and validating a production decision support system. The developed simulator is specially designed for simulation of the entire newspaper production process. The authors propose methods for testing and validating a global production management system (GPMS), before implementing it in the production environment. Newspaper production is a complex time-critical process characterized by heterogeneous computer based production tools in a distributed environment. A GPMS is an application of decision support systems for the entire newspaper production process, and needs to collect events from various production subsystems to get the current production state. In order to test a GPMS without disturbing the daily production, there is a need for a simulation tool which must simulate the event providers. This can only be achieved by using a strictly specified communication mechanism between the event providers and the GPMS.

An Intranet solution for a real-time GPMS in newspaper production

Newspaper production is a complex and often suboptimised process, characterised by heterogeneous computer based production tools in a distributed environment. Attempts to optimize this process have generally been on a local subsystem level, without a global perspective. With the emerging IFRAtrack standard for exchanging local and global tracking information, new possibilities for global optimization are emerging. This paper presents the Intranet client-server solution we have chosen as the platform for a global production management system (GPMS) aimed at solving these problems. A production database contains the relevant information supplied by the local systems and acts as a global collector of production information. A web server communicates with the database through scripts and other mechanisms to dynamically retrieve and update its contents. Users interact with the system using WWW browsers, which provide the basis for the client user interface. Distributed code modules, applets, can provide functionality not supported by HTML.

Kilowh.at – Increasing Energy Awareness Using an Interactive Energy Comparison Tool

Reducing the use of energy is important for several reasons, such as saving money and reducing impact on the climate. However, the awareness among non-experts of how much energy is required by different activities is generally low, which can lead to wrong prioritizations. In this study, we have developed an interactive tool to increase “energy awareness”. A group of 58 students first did a test to benchmark their current energy awareness, then tried the tool for 10 min, and then did the same test immediately after trying the prototype and one week after trying the prototype. In addition, they answered questions regarding which, if any, of the energy requirement of different activities surprised them, any thoughts about their own energy use aroused after using the prototype and what they thought about using the tool compared to more conventional methods of learning. The results showed a significant learning effect in energy awareness with a very strong effect size of 1.689, that they were most surprised by the energy required to produce a hamburger, 39 of 58 explicitly said they intended to change one or more aspects in order to improve their energy use, where 24 actions involved changing habits and 18 actions was of a one-time investment character. The attitude towards using such a tool instead of more conventional learning was very good and the words most frequently used to describe the tool was good, simple and easy to use, fun, and interesting, but five users also said they were bored after a while. In total the results indicate that using an interactive tool like this even for a limited time is a good way to in an efficient and fun way increase energy awareness.

Smart Interactions for the Quantified Self

The Quantified Self is a movement for collecting personal data with the goal of providing possibilities for new insights through reflecting on own relevant data, with applications in areas such as physical exercise, food, and health. When collecting personal data, difficulties may arise, such as information from different sources which cannot easily be combined, closed access to information sources, inflexible tooling for producing desired quantifications, varying precision of data used for producing quantifications, and a lack of control over data sharing for supporting relevant comparisons with others. In this paper, we introduce the concept of smart interactions, backed by linked data, as a means of introducing the QS through smart and personal learning environments, both for reducing the associated difficulties and further empowering the QS.

Walking Outdoors during Seminars Improved Perceived Seminar Quality and Sense of Well-Being among Participants

Low levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour are a growing health problem globally. Physical inactivity is associated with increased risk of numerous ailments, cardiovascular disease and mortality. Our primary aim was to perform a feasibility study on how to incorporate physical activity among students and teachers in regular teaching activities. The second aim was to investigate how students and teachers perceived the differences between outdoor walking seminars and regular indoor seminars. By transforming an on-campus course into a blended course, we were able to conduct seminars outdoors in nearby nature while walking. These walking seminars were evaluated among 131 students and nine teachers leading the walking seminars. The responses to the student survey and teacher interviews indicate that discussions, sense of well-being and the general quality of the seminar improved, regardless of how physically active participants were the rest of the time. The study shows one way to increase physical activity with small means; in our case, a reorganization of how we prepared for the seminars which allowed for walking discussions.