Marion Wiethoff

Evaluation of a collaborative virtual learning environment

Research results concerning the evaluation of a collaborative virtual learning environment (CVLE) are presented in this paper. The focus of the evaluation is the perceptions of the learners concerning the technical and social qualities of a CVLE. It is argued in this paper that course designers and system developers should put efforts to build technically robust CVLEs with proper social infrastructure. The research results showed that although some of the failures experienced by users in CVLEs are based on technological reasons, some others are based on the lack of proper social arrangements. Additionally, if CVLEs are implemented in an international environment special attention should be paid for language and cultural differences. This research also argues about the evaluation of CVLEs that should follow a socio‐technical approach, to cover both technological and social issues.

Specification of information needs for the development of a mobile communication platform to support mobility of people with functional limitations

Opportunities for people with functional limitations are increasing. ICT provides a number of possibilities to receive care, to travel, to work, to educate oneself, to inform oneself and to meet other people. In this paper, the methodology for defining user requirements for supporting people with functional limitations through ICT (the ASK-It Concept) is presented. The methodology covers various domains. A case example as an illustration of the process is used: a communication platform to support social relations and communities. The methodology is built upon the definition of user groups, the elaboration and implementation of relevant action and activity theory principles, and is successively developed with the content modelling procedure, in order to provide a formal description of user information needs in a computer understandable and interoperable format.

Development of a mobile tourist information system for people with functional limitations: user behaviour concept and specification of content requirements

The paper describes the specification of content requirements for a new mobile tourist information service for people with functional limitations. The theoretical background for the specification of content requirements is based on action and activity theory. The framework enables the division of complex activities into smaller functional units in order to analyse the information needs of user groups with different types of functional limitations. The approach provides results in the form of information elements and attributes which can be easily translated into a machine-readable language

ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW AND ACTOR POSITION

Abstract This paper shows some details and acceptability aspects of three types of systems which are part of a comprehensive State of the Art review on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: Navigation, Advanced Cruise Control & Stop and Go, and Intelligent Speed Adaptation systems. It was concluded that luxury car drivers considered the warning type of Intelligent Speed Adaptation acceptable and expected this to have a positive impact on road safety, and that truck drivers found the navigation functionality most attractive in general, and Advanced Cruise Control & Stop and Go functionality on motorways and rural roads.

Designing New Technology Based Services to Support Visually Impaired Computer Workers (VICWs)

Audio Supported Application Sharing (ASAS) tool based services design can be used to overcome problems of Visually Impaired Computer Workers (VICWs). ASAS tool services are expected to increase performance of both individuals and organizations. First, the individual performance will be positively influenced because trainers and VICWs will perform tasks in a more efficient way with help of ASAS tools in comparison to the old way of task performance. Second, the organizational performance will be positively influenced because due to the ASAS tool technology the organization can perform their activities in a more efficient way. ASAS tools will contribute significantly to travel time reduction, comfort and reduction of costs on the overall level. Life-long support will increase the VICW contribution to the working society. Support with ASAS tools will not lead to changes in task time. This paper will describe ASAS tool service design and how the service changes performance.

Interface evaluation from users' point of view: three complementary measures

In the context of an European project ‘Metrics for Usability Standards in Computing’ (MUSiC), merncs, methods and standards are developed for industrial use. A validation study is reported in which metrics of cognitive workloa~ performance and subjective usability are tested. Subjects were studied working with a menu oriented and with a graphical object-oriented wordprocessor. The hypotheses were that the graphical package would induce a lower level of cognitive workload, and better performance and higher satisfaction. The subjects reported a lower workload, and a higher user satisfaction when using a package with a gmphical interface. The lower workload could not be determined objectively, nor were there clear performance differences. Subjects did however show different learning behaviors with the two packages. This contribution is relevant for software developers as well as HCI practioners.

From Accidents to Measures

Traffic safety is constantly increasing in Europe the last decade but not as much as planned and aimed at. This chapter introduces the major types of persistent driver errors and support needs as well as a methodology leading from problem recognition to proposing technical solution and implementation scenarios to avert them. The results of the other chapters of this book have been obtained working across the lines of this methodology, driving the IN-SAFETY project and beyond.

Putting the Legos in Place

Still too many deaths and injuries are a result of road safety problems within Europe. Technologies based on combinations of infrastructural and in-vehicle system are expected to show the most cost-effective solutions. This chapter provides an overview of existing and emerging systems and a first evaluation of their safety effects, as the main “building blocks” in constructing scenarios to enhance traffic safety. Although not aiming at a thorough and exhaustive state of the art on such systems, the presented data allow the user to have a better understanding on the proposed and examined evaluation scenaria in other chapters of this book, as well as provide material for thoughts, to allow the reader (and especially any stakeholder) to imagine his/her own scenaria.

An Ambient Intelligence Framework for the Provision of Geographically Distributed Multimedia Content to Mobility Impaired Users

This chapter presents an ambient intelligence framework whose goal is to facilitate the information needs of mobility impaired users on the move. This framework couples users with geographically distributed services and the corresponding multimedia content, enabling access to context-sensitive information based on user geographic location and the use case under consideration. It provides a multi-modal facility that is realized through a set of mobile devices and user interfaces that address the needs of ten different types of user impairments. The overall ambient intelligence framework enables users who are equipped with mobile devices to access multimedia content in order to undertake activities relevant to one or more of the following domains: transportation, tourism and leisure, personal support services, work, business, education, social relations and community building. User experience is being explored against those activities through a specific usage scenario.

User needs for mobility improvement for people with functional limitations

According to the Eurostat statistics, 25.3% of the European Union (15 countries) population are “severely hampered” (9.3%) or “hampered to some extent” (16.0%). More specifically, these figures refer to “hampered in daily activities by any physical or mental health problem, illness or disability” (Simoes and Gomez, 2005; United Nations, 2003). Their quality of life would improve substantially if they could participate more actively in the society, while society itself could benefit from this contribution. The transdisciplinary project ASK-IT aims to support this and is developing an ambient intelligence system that provides information to people with functional limitations.