René Bakker

Design patterns for mixed-method research in HCI

In this paper we discuss mixed-method research in HCI. We report on an empirical literature study of the NordiCHI 2012 proceedings which aimed to uncover and describe common mixed-method approaches, and to identify good practices for mixed-methods research in HCI. We present our results as mixed-method research design patterns, which can be used to design, discuss and evaluate mixed-method research. Three dominant patterns are identified and fully described and three additional pattern candidates are proposed. With our pattern descriptions we aim to lay a foundation for a more thoughtful application of, and a stronger discourse about, mixed-method approaches in HCI.

Flipped Classroom Patterns: Controlling the Pace

During the execution of a flipped classroom course, chances increase students are not at the level scheduled in the initial planning with some students falling behind with their knowledge acquisition and others running ahead. In those cases, adding value during the in-class meetings is much harder for teachers, as they have to take care of all the different knowledge levels. A good way of addressing this problem is to control the learning pace of the group. As a result, the knowledge level of the group will be more homogeneous which makes it easier to add value during the in-class meetings. In previous work we described the pattern Controlling the Pace. This pattern mainly addresses the course planning, but there are more aspects that need to be taken into account. In this paper we propose five patterns based on our experience that can help teachers to control the pace of students learning in various aspects.

Increasing Family Involvement in Elderly Care

This paper describes the design and field trial of the Dynamic Collage, a system which aims support extended family members to take part in the care for an elderly person in a light way manner by sending photos to a digital frame in the elderly home. We evaluated the dynamic collage in a field trial of 4-6 weeks with two families, yielding positive results. Photo-sharing was seen as a valuable contribution by the elderly person and all family members, it provided narrative support for visitors of the elderly and it led to an increased awareness of caregiving behavior and increased cohesion in the family. The study shows there is an opportunity to include Awareness Systems and Persuasive Technology within a participation ecology, which could be beneficial for health care.

RheijnLand.Xperiences – A Storytelling Framework for Cross-Museum Experiences

In the Rhine-Waal region of Germany and the Netherlands eight, museums would like to engage adolescents and youngsters in museum visits. Using digital media, visitors should be warmed up, thrilled and get involved in storytelling deeply connected to these museums. Therefore, the project partners of RheijnLand.Xperiences (RLX) are developing a framework and several implementations that allow employing storylines for cross-organizational museum experiences. The key aspect of innovation is the creation of a “continuation network” of partner locations, where the visit to one location leads to the desire to continue the experience at a next location of the network. Therefore, it is mandatory to have junctures between the museums in order to facilitate the continuation. Apart from storytelling methods, several other concepts are being examined, such as “hyperportals”, “culture caching”, using good practices like persuasive technology and theoretic notions like “blended experience”, and “mixed reality”. In order to achieve that goal, RLX makes heavily use of innovation and user centered development methods, such as design thinking, idea generation, co-creation, early prototypes, aiming at setting exemplary methodological steps.