Viktoria Pammer-Schindler

Pre-attentive Features in Natural Augmented Reality Visualizations

The movement towards cyberphysical systems and Industry 4.0 promises to imbue each and every stage of production with a myriad of sensors. The open question is how people are to comprehend and interact with data originating from industrial machinery. We propose a metaphor that compares machines with natural beings that appeal to people by representing machine states with patterns occurring in nature. Our approach uses augmented reality (AR) to represent machine states as trees of different shapes and colors (BioAR). We performed a study on pre-attentive processing of visual features in AR to determine if our BioAR metaphor conveys fast changes unambiguously and accurately. Our results indicate that the visual features in our BioAR metaphor are processed pre-attentively. In contrast to previous research, for the BioAR metaphor, variations in form induced less errors than variations in hue in the target detection task.

Virtualizing face-2-face trainings for training senior professionals: a comparative case study on financial auditors

Traditionally, professional learning for senior professionals is organized around face-2-face trainings. Virtual trainings seem to offer an opportunity to reduce costs related to travel and travel time. In this paper we present a comparative case study that investigates the differences between traditional face-2-face trainings in physical reality, and virtual trainings via WebEx. Our goal is to identify how the way of communication impacts interaction between trainees, between trainees and trainers, and how it impacts interruptions. We present qualitative results from observations and interviews of three cases in different setups (traditional classroom, web-based with all participants co-located, web-based with all participants at different locations) and with overall 25 training participants and three trainers. The study is set within one of the Big Four global auditing companies, with advanced senior auditors as learning cohort.

Digging for Gold: Motivating Users to Explore Alternative Search Interfaces

In this demonstration paper, we describe a prototype that visualizes usage of different search interfaces on a single search platform with the goal to motivate users to explore alternative search interfaces. The underlying rationale is, that by now the one-line-input to search engines is so standard, that we can assume users’ search behavior to be operationalized. This means, that users may be reluctant to explore alternatives even though these may be suited better to their context of use/search task.

Transfer of Theoretical Knowledge into Work Practice: A Reflective Quiz for Stroke Nurses

Managing knowledge in periods of digital change requires not only changes in learning processes but also in knowledge transfer. For this knowledge transfer, we see reflective learning as an important strategy to keep the vast body of theoretical knowledge fresh and up-to-date, and to transfer theoretical knowledge to practical experience. In this work, we present a study situated in a qualification program for stroke nurses in Germany. In the seven-week study, 21 stroke nurses used a quiz on medical knowledge as an additional learning instrument. The quiz contained typical quiz questions (“content questions”) as well as reflective questions that aimed at stimulating nurses to reflect on the practical relevance of the learned knowledge. We particularly looked at how reflective questions can support the transfer of theoretical knowledge into practice. The results show that by playful learning and presenting reflective questions at the right time, participants reflected and related theoretical knowledge to practical experience.

Lets play Tic-Tac-Toe: A Brain-Computer Interface case study in cerebral palsy

Operating Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) that are based on the detection of changes in oscillatory non-invasive electroencephalogram (EEG) typically involves learning. Commonly the learning process is distributed between the user (reliable EEG pattern generation) and the machine (robust EEG pattern detection). Standard training approaches, however, typically do not allow users to gain meaningful levels of control. A better understanding of brain functioning or the use of sophisticated machine learning are ways to enhance control. Rethinking training paradigms is another option. In this paper, we enhance our game-based training approach by adding competitive elements. Winning is a powerful motivator that increases user engagement of the typically boring BCI training experience. We report on a user with cerebral palsy who successfully gained BCI control and played the classical Tic-Tac-Toe game against his caregiver.

A Reflective Quiz in a Professional Qualification Program for Stroke Nurses: A Field Trial

Reflective learning is an important strategy to keep the vast body of theoretical knowledge fresh, stay up-to-date with new knowledge, and to relate theoretical knowledge to practical experience. In this work, we present how reflective learning prompts can enhance a medical quiz used in a qualification program for stroke nurses in Germany. In the seven-week study, 21 stroke nurses used a quiz on medical knowledge as additional learning instrument. The quiz contained typical quiz questions (“content questions”) as well as reflective questions presented at different points in time. The latter aimed at stimulating nurses to reflect on the practical relevance of the learned knowledge. The results show that by playful learning and presenting reflective questions at the right time, the participants were motivated to reflect and to transfer theoretical knowledge into practice.