Christoph Hoelscher

Searching on the Web (poster abstract): two types of expertise

Efforts to improve Web search faciliti es call for improved understanding of user characteristics. We investigated the types of knowledge that are relevant for web-based information seeking, along with the knowledge structures and related strategies. In an exploratory field experiment, 12 establi shed Internet experts were first interviewed about search strategies and then performed a series of reali stic search tasks on the WWW. Based on this preliminary study a model of information searching on the WWW was derived and tested in a second study. In the second experiment two classes of potentiall y relevant types of knowledge were directly compared. Using a series of search tasks in an economics-related domain (introduction of the EURO currency) we investigated the effects of Web experience and domain-specific background knowledge on search strategies. We found independent and combined effects of both Web experience and domain knowledge, hinting at the importance of considering both types of expertise as cogniti ve factors in web-based searches.

Ar-CHI-Tecture: architecture and interaction

The rise of ubiquitous computing leads to a natural convergence between the areas of architectural design (the design of buildings, spaces and experience of being in and moving through them) and HCI. We suggest that Architecture and CHI have much to learn from each other in terms of research and practice. This workshop will bring together these communities to explore the benefits of architecture envisioned as integral to an expanded CHI community. The workshop organizers aim to create a framework for future collaboration and identify new directions for research in this multidisciplinary field. This promises significant impacts on both interaction research and its real-world applications.

Interaction and architectural space

For many in the field of HCI, location and space are synonymous; yet, as we move from the mobile era to the ubiquitous era, computing becomes entangled with notions of space. This workshop critically examines the role of space in human-computer interfaces. The objective is to bring together diverse perspectives of space, drawing from architecture, philosophy, art, geography, design, dance, spatial-cognition, mathematics, computing, and still other domains, towards foregrounding space in theoretical discussions and explorations within the CHI community. Expected outcomes are the reporting of fresh insights into the impact and role of space in the interaction process.

Population-level Spatial Navigation Ability to Detect and Predict Alzheimer’s Disease

Background - Spatial disorientation is one of the most common symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease. However, detection of such symptoms is difficult as there are currently no global benchmarks of what constitutes healthy navigation behaviour on a mass population level. Methods - To address this we worked with a global telecommunications company (Deutsche Telekom) and a game development company (Glitchers) to develop the mobile video game “Sea Hero Quest”, that tests spatial orientation on a mass population. Three different spatial tasks are examined in the game: way-finding, path integration and spatial working memory. The game to date has collected data in more than 2.7 million people worldwide, across an age range of 19-95, in 193 countries. Results - Preliminary findings for the path integration levels of the game, which are targeted more towards egocentric navigation strategies, indicate that performance i) declines over the lifetime; ii) is by 11% better in men than women across ages; iii) show regional variation with Nordic countries performing best. Conclusions - These navigation data are unique in allowing a ‘personalised medicine’ approach towards spatial navigation symptoms, i.e. determine the diagnosis, treatment and management on an individual level based on the person’s demographic factors (age, gender, origin etc.).