Nikolaos M. Avouris

Context-based design of mobile applications for museums: a survey of existing practices

This paper includes a review of mobile applications used in museum environments, focusing on the notion of context and its constituent dimensions. Museums are a representative example in which the context influences interaction. During a museum visit, the visitors interact with the exhibits through mobile devices. We argue that, effective interaction design needs to take into consideration multiple dimensions of the context. Since context is often misinterpreted, superficially used or poorly defined, we attempt to analyze a number of existing mobile applications used in museum environments, through this perspective. The point of analysis is to evaluate those applications against various context dimensions. We argue that these results can be useful in other kinds of applications, in which the impact of context is not taken for granted.

EVALUATION OF CLASSIFIERS FOR AN UNEVEN CLASS DISTRIBUTION PROBLEM

Classification problems with uneven class distributions present several difficulties during the training as well as during the evaluation process of classifiers. A classification problem with such characteristics has resulted from a data mining project where the objective was to predict customer insolvency. Using the data set from the customer insolvency problem, we study several alternative methodologies, which have been reported to better suit the specific characteristics of this type of problem. Three different but equally important directions are examined: (a) the performance measures that should be used for problems in this domain; (b) the class distributions that should be used for the training data sets; and (c) the classification algorithms to be used. The final evaluation of the resulting classifiers is based on a study of the economic impact of classification results. This study concludes to a framework that provides the “best” classifiers, identifies the performance measures that should be used as the decision criterion, and suggests the “best” class distribution based on the value of the relative gain from correct classification in the positive class. This framework has been applied in the customer insolvency problem, but it is claimed that it can be applied to many similar problems with uneven class distributions that almost always require a multi-objective evaluation process.

On analysis of collaborative problem solving: an object-oriented approach

Abstract During the last decade an increased interest has been observed on computer-supported collaborative problem solving. This relatively new area of research requires new methodological approaches of interaction and problem solving analysis. Usually analysis of collaborative problem solving situations is done through discourse analysis or interaction analysis, where in the center of attention are the actors involved (students, tutors etc.). An alternative framework, called “Object-oriented Collaboration Analysis Framework (OCAF)” is presented here, according to which the objects of the collaboratively developed solution become the center of attention and are studied as entities that carry their own history. This approach produces a reversed view of the process, according to which the solution is made of structural components that are ‘owned’ by actors who have contributed in various degrees to their development. OCAF provides both qualitative and quantitative measures of collaboration. It is shown that this framework can be applied effectively both in synchronous computer supported collaborative environments of distance groups and in face-to-face collaborative activities.

Data mining for decision support on customer insolvency in telecommunications business

Abstract This paper reports on the findings of a research project that had the objective to build a decision support system to handle customer insolvency for a large telecommunication company. Prediction of customer insolvency, well in advance, and with an accuracy that could make this prediction useful in business terms, was one of the core objectives of the study. In the paper the process of building such a predictive model through knowledge discovery and data mining techniques in vast amounts of heterogeneous as well as noisy data is described. The reported findings are very promising, making the proposed model a useful tool in the decision making process, while some of the discussed problems and limitations are of interest to researchers who intend to use data mining approaches in other similar real-life problems.

Development and Evaluation of a Computer-Based Laboratory Teaching Tool

Effective evaluation of educational software is a key issue for successful introduction of advanced tools in the curriculum. This paper focuses on our experience of developing and evaluating a tool for computer‐assisted teaching of engineering laboratory courses. Various categories of educational softwares that can be used for laboratory courses are described. An example of such experimental system is also provided. Finally issues and techniques relating with usability evaluation of instructional software are described with examples of application of these techniques during the design and experimental use of electrical‐machines laboratory educational software.

The Role of Domain Knowledge in a Large Scale Data Mining Project

Data Mining techniques have been applied in many application areas. A Data Mining project has been often described as a process of automatic discovery of new knowledge from large amounts of data. However the role of the domain knowledge in this process and the forms that this can take, is an issue that has been given little attention so far. Based on our experience with a large scale Data Mining industrial project we present in this paper an outline of the role of domain knowledge in the various phases of the process. This project has led to the development of a decision support expert system for a major Telecommunications Operator. The data mining process is described in the paper as a continuous interaction between explicit domain knowledge, and knowledge that is discovered through the use of data mining algorithms. The role of the domain experts and data mining experts in this process is discussed. Examples from our case study are also provided.

Playing with museum exhibits: designing educational games mediated by mobile technology

In this paper, we describe two educational games mediated by mobile technology which were designed for use in the context of a traditional historical museum by young children. Our analysis focuses on the principles of the educational design, on the use of mobile technology and on the envisaged interaction between the exhibits and the children. The main argument of the paper is that mobile technology can support the play with the exhibits of a museum -instead of just viewing them in the more traditional way--and in this context the spectrum of children interaction with the exhibits can be broadened and enriched.

Cooperating knowledge-based systems for environmental decision support

Abstract The paper discusses the applicability of cooperating knowledge-based system (CKBS) techniques in environmental decision support. The reasons for using CKBSs are given first. Existing environmental CKBSs are discussed, with special emphasis on a typical example, the Distributed Chemical Emergencies Manager (DCHEM). The methodological framework applied to the building of DCHEM, the knowledge acquisition technique used, and the architecture of the developed system are also described.

MuseumScrabble: Design of a Mobile Game for Children's Interaction with a Digitally Augmented Cultural Space

Mobile technology has created new possibilities for location-based playful learning experiences. This article describes the MuseumScrabble mobile game, aimed at children visiting a historical museum. The game requires that the players explore the museum and link abstract concepts with physical artefacts using a mobile device. The focus of this article is on the interaction design process and the subsequent observations made during field evaluation of the game. Design principles that guide the development of such a game are presented and concern playfulness, learning, social interaction, physical aspects of the game and flow between physical and digital space. This article explores how these design principles are reflected in the study and how problem-solving strategies and collaboration and competition patterns are developed by children in this multi-player educational game.

The effective combination of hybrid usability methods in evaluating educational applications of ICT: Issues and challenges

This paper focuses on usability evaluation of information and communication technologies applications in education (ICTE applications). Various classes of teaching and learning systems are discussed in terms of technologies used and pedagogical approaches. Their usability is analyzed according to various dimensions and the impact of system usability on the learning effectiveness is studied. We argue that various classes of ICTE applications such as multimedia/hypermedia applications, open educational environments and CSCL environments, based on different theoretical perspectives, require fundamentally different approaches in evaluating their usability. The paper is structured as follows: an overview of different usability evaluation approaches is presented first, followed by a discussion on applicability of these techniques in various categories of teaching and learning computer systems. Typical case studies that engage both usability experts and users themselves (students and teachers) are also discussed. The objective is to describe both the methods, and the way to apply them effectively in order to certify the usability of an ICTE application with respect to its teaching and learning objectives.