Melissa Cole

Using Wiki technology to support student engagement: Lessons from the trenches

This paper reports on a failed experiment to use Wiki technology to support student engagement with the subject matter of a third year undergraduate module. Using qualitative data, the findings reveal that in an educational context, social technologies such as Wikis, are perceived differently compared with ordinary personal use and this discourages student adoption. A series of insights are then offered which help HE teachers understand the pitfalls of integrating social technologies in educational contexts.

Cultural differences in the online behavior of consumers

Understanding how different cultures use the Net---as well as perceive the same Web sites---can translate to truly global e-commerce.

The potential of hermeneutics in information systems research

This paper puts forward a case for using hermeneutics in information systems (IS) research. Unlike case study and action research, which could now be described as ‘mainstream’ interpretive research in IS, hermeneutics is neither well accepted nor much practiced in IS research. A suitable hermeneutic approach is described in detail. A brief account of hermeneutics in action is provided through a description of research investigating notions of convenience in home Internet shopping. The hermeneutic circle enabled the researcher to reveal unexpectedly the practice of using surrogates in Internet shopping and this example illustrates some of the potential of the approach in IS research.

From the User Interface to the Consumer Interface

Business success requires that advances in technology be designed and applied within a human context. Too often technological advance has occurred without reference to human behavior. While research appreciates that electronic consumers are computer users, and vice-versa, few understand exactly how this is transforming consumer behavior. In other words, technological imagination has surpassed our knowledge of media-based consumer behavior. This paper seeks to re-dress the balance of understanding. By (i) integrating themes in human-computer interaction (HCI) with consumer behavior models and (ii) placing the results within a framework of relevant research issues, we present the conceptual foundations for a consumer interface.

A Heuristic Evaluation of the Facebook's Advertising Tool Beacon

Interface usability is critical to the successful adoption of information systems. The aim of this study is to evaluate interface of Facebooks advertising tool Beacon by using privacy heuristics [4]. Beacon represents an interesting case study because of the negative media and user backlash it received. The findings of heuristic evaluation suggest violation of privacy heuristics [4]. Here, analysis identified concerns about user choice and consent, integrity and security of data, and awareness and notice. Beacon was an innovative tool, therefore, its systematic evaluation was needed in order to identify privacy problems, their causes and subsequent consequences. The study provides useful insights to human computer interaction (HCI) designers of online social networks.