Cliff Randell

Ubi-learning integrates indoor and outdoor experiences

Digital augmentation dissolves many of the physical barriers to learning by offering tools to integrate data and discoveries that travel with students as they explore new terrain.

Ambient wood: designing new forms of digital augmentation for learning outdoors

Ubiquitous and mobile technologies provide opportunities for designing novel learning experiences that move out of the classroom. Information can be presented and interacted with in a variety of ways while exploring a physical environment. A key issue this raises is when, where, what and how much? Our research is concerned with the design, delivery and interaction of digital information when learning about ecology outdoors. We present a framework of the different forms of digital augmentation and the different processes by which they can be accessed. Using the framework, we designed an outdoors learning experience, aimed at encouraging students to carry out contextualized scientific enquiry and to reflect on their interactions. Pairs of 11-12 year olds explored a woodland and were presented at certain times with different forms of digital augmentation. Our study showed that this kind of exploration promoted interpretation and reflection at a number of levels of abstraction.

Context awareness by analysing accelerometer data

In this paper we describe continuing work being carried out as part of the Bristol Wearable Computing Initiative. We are researching processing techniques for data from accelerometers which enable the wearable computer to determine the users activity. Techniques already employed by others have been explored and we propose new methods for analysing the data delivered by these devices. We try to minimise the number of devices needed by using a single X-Y accelerometer device. Using our techniques we have adapted our GPS based Tourist Guide application to vary its multimedia presentation according to the users activity as well as location.

Low Cost Indoor Positioning System

This report describes a low cost indoor position sensing system utilising a combination of radio frequency and ultrasonics. Using a single rf transmitter and four ceiling mounted ultrasonic transmitters it provides coverage in a typical room in an area greater than 8m by 8m. As well as finding position within a room, it uses data encoded into the rf signal to determine the relevant web server for a building, and which floor and room the user is in. It is intended to be used primarily by wearable/mobile computers, though it has also been extended for use as a tracking system.

Personal position measurement using dead reckoning

This paper compares position measurement techniquesusing dead reckoning. We are seeking to find a techniquewhich is suitable for use by pedestrians, and have compareda number of sensors that can be used to achieve a robustand accurate dead reckoning system. All our techniquesare step based. To measure steps we have compared the useof pedometers and accelerometers. To determine headingwe have compared two and three dimensional compassesand a rate gyroscope. Finally we have performed four casestudies based on real applications with standard deviationmeasured at 2.2m for a short test and 19.9m for an extendedtest. These errors can be reduced by using more computationallyexpensive filtering operations.

Things aren't what they seem to be: innovation through technology inspiration

How does designing for novel experiences with largely untried technologies get its inspiration? Here we report on a project whose goal was to promote learning through novel, playful visions of technologies. To this end, we experimented with a diversity of ambient and pervasive technologies to inspire and drive our design. Working as a large multi-disciplinary group of researchers and designers we developed novel and imaginative experiences for children. To crystallise our ideas we designed, implemented and experimented with a mixed reality adventure game, where children had to hunt an elusive, virtual creature called the Snark, in a large interactive environment. We describe our experiences, reflecting on the process of design inspiration in an area where so much remains unknown.

The Periscope: supporting a computer enhanced field trip for children

AbstractThis paper describes an interactive device, the Periscope, designed to be used as an educational tool featured during a childrens digitally enhanced field trip in a woodland setting. The Periscope assembly, including a display and RFID equipped tangibles, is controlled using handles that enable it to be raised and rotated. The display is controlled by rotating the Periscope, or alternatively by twisting the handles. A set of tangibles, a collection of Petri dishes fitted with RFID tags, enable the children to carry out experiments with the results being shown on the display. Field trials are also outlined in which the effectiveness of this design is established. In conclusion, we discuss the aesthetic design issues raised by introducing digital technology into everyday environments.

Shared visiting in EQUATOR city

In this paper we describe an infrastructure and prototype system for sharing of visiting experiences across multiple media. The prototype supports synchronous co-visiting by physical and digital visitors, with digital access via either the World Wide Web or 3-dimensional graphics.

The Ambient Horn: designing a novel audio-based learning experience

The Ambient Horn is a novel handheld device designed to support children learning about habitat distributions and interdependencies in an outdoor woodland environment. The horn was designed to emit non-speech audio sounds representing ecological processes. Both symbolic and arbitrary mappings were used to represent the processes. The sounds are triggered in response to the children’s location in certain parts of the woodland. A main objective was to provoke children into interpreting and reflecting upon the significance of the sounds in the context in which they occur. Our study of the horn being used showed the sounds to be provocative, generating much discussion about what they signified in relation to what the children saw in the woodland. In addition, the children appropriated the horn in creative ways, trying to ‘scoop’ up new sounds as they walked in different parts of the woodland.

The Well Mannered Wearable Computer

Abstract: In this paper we describe continuing work being carried out as part of the Bristol Wearable Computing Initiative. We are interested in the use of context sensors to improve the usefulness of wearable computers. A CyberJacket incorporating a Tourist Guide application has been built, and we have experimented with location and movement sensing devices to improve its performance. In particular, we have researched processing techniques for data from accelerometers which enable the wearable computer to determine the user’s activity. We have experimented with, and review, techniques already employed by others; and then propose new methods for analysing the data delivered by these devices. We try to minimise the number of devices needed, and use a single X-Y accelerometer device. Using our techniques we have adapted our CyberJacket and Tourist Guide to include a multimedia presentation which gives the user information using different media depending on the user’s activity as well as location.