Yuanqiong Wang

Does Medium Matter? A Comparison of Initial Meeting Modes for Virtual Teams

Research Problem: There are no prior studies comparing modes of communication for virtual teams working over a substantial period of time that combined an initial synchronous desktop audio or video meeting with subsequent text-based computer-mediated communication (CMC). Research Questions: Does the initial medium condition impact decision-making quality, creativity, group development, and process satisfaction? Literature Review: Previous literature on media richness (the ability of a medium to carry and reproduce information based on feedback, multiple cues, language variety, and personal focus) and group outcomes (the level of creativity and quality of the work delivered by the group) suggests that ad-hoc groups using asynchronous CMC alone (without any initial meeting) or asynchronous CMC combined with an initial face-to-face (FTF) meeting have significantly higher levels of creativity and decision quality, compared to single-mode synchronous CMC groups or FTF groups. Methodology: In this study, a laboratory experiment was conducted with 136 participants from 14 countries. All teams used asynchronous CMC for two weeks for a software requirements task, following an initial synchronous meeting in one of four conditions: FTF, desktop audioconferencing, desktop videoconferencing, or text only. Results and Discussion: Results suggest that there are no significant differences among the four conditions. This research indicates that it does not matter what medium is used for an initial short meeting of a group that is to subsequently work together via asynchronous text communication.

A Usability Study on Elder Adults Utilizing Social Networking Sites

There are a growing number of elder adults using computers and the internet, however their social media presence still remains low compared to younger counterparts. What are the reasons hindering them from utilizing social media? What challenges do elder adults face when using these types of sites? Are they able to successfully utilize the site as intended? Does computer experience play a role in the usability of these sites? Can improvements be made to current social media sites to improve usability and accessibility for elders? This paper reports the preliminary findings to the questions above based on a usability study involving twenty-two elders with none to advanced computer experience. Results from this study show that previous experience with computers and the design of the sites affect the usability and accessibility for the elderly. Social networking sites are difficult for elders to use because of computer illiteracy, lack of knowledge of Web 2.0 concepts, and format, navigation, and layout issues. Future suggestions include redesigning social networking sites by abiding by known website guidelines and other suggestions found in this study.

Evaluating Groupware Accessibility

Accessibility has been one of the biggest problems that people with disabilities face in the work place, due to todays rapid change in computer technology. This paper presents the evaluation of several console-based and web-based groupware applications including Outlook, AIM, Google Blog, and Group Systems ThinkTank in terms of their accessibility. These applications were evaluated for accessibility based on various characteristics of the applications such as accessible front-end, hierarchy or list structures, input support, output support; screen reader adaptability; and keyboard access. Additionally, web-based groupware applications were evaluated using Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and U.S. Governments Section 508 guidelines. Fujitsus Web Accessibility Inspector tool was also utilized to help evaluate the web-based applications. It is found that groupware applications have very limited accessibility through the support of keyboard access. Additional audio support and flattened hierarchies should be considered, to enable some persons with disabilities easy access to groupware applications. Future research should include persons with disabilities in evaluating groupware applications, to determine preferences. Since many groupware applications provide Application Program Interfaces (API), custom front-ends should be developed to include audio content and to flatten hierarchies and lists.

Groupware Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

The accessibility issues of Groupware applications prevent visually impaired and other persons with disabilities access to these highly graphical interfaces. To address the accessibility issues persons with disabilities have with Groupware, a recent literature review on Groupware accessibility was performed. This paper reviews recent research to identify the accessibility issues; the input devices and output forms utilized to improve accessibility; and, the proposed solutions for Groupware accessibility. The conclusion is that encapsulating or overlaying the Groupware interface with an accessible auditory interface was a common solution to accessibility. Future research is needed in the following areas: guidelines for accessibility; identifying accessibility issues that users with disabilities may face; promoting awareness of the accessibility issues; evaluating groupware accessibility; design of accessible auditory interfaces; system/software support for persons with disabilities working in isolation; support for alternative input and output devices for persons with disabilities.

Providing an accessible track changes feature for persons who are blind

Collaborative writing applications are widely utilized in the work place to co-author documents and to exchange ideas. Unfortunately, persons who are blind have difficulty in identifying the changes and their related context, which prevents them from actively participating in collaborative writing. In order to expand on the knowledge gained from previous research, additional usability studies were carried out with participants who are blind utilizing Microsoft Word with the focus on track change and comment features. Based on results from all the previous usability studies, a Microsoft Word Add-In was proposed to solve the issues identified. This paper briefly presents the results of the usability studies, the prototype design of the Microsoft Word Add-In and a pilot review of the Microsoft Word Add-In for making the track change and comment features accessible and usable.

Teaching about the impacts of social networks: an end of life perspective

As the use of various social networking technologies increase, so does the importance of understanding the long term implications for users in the context of end of life. Users post many digital artifacts online for many reasons, such as for storage, construction of their digital identity, communication, etc. Often these posts and uploads inadvertently build the digital legacy of the user. In this paper, we discuss the impacts of social networking and the construction of an online identity from an end of life perspective. The authors discuss the importance of education as an essential element for preparation and understanding of this topic. A survey of college social network users is also reported along with a discussion on their feedback.

Accessible collaborative writing for persons who are blind: a usability study

Collaborative writing applications are widely utilized in organizations to co-author documents and jointly exchange ideas. Unfortunately, for persons who are blind, collaborative writing applications are often difficult to access and use. Therefore, this paper presents the results from several usability studies that examined how visually able persons and persons who are blind interact with collaborative writing applications, and the accessibility and usability issues they encounter.

Examining the Current State of Group Support Accessibility: An Expanded Study

Group support applications are widely used in workplace to support group work. Unfortunately, persons who are blind often found it difficult to access group support applications, due to the highly graphical nature of the application; this hinders their ability to contribute to the group. As a result, persons who are blind often face problems in gaining and retaining employment. In order to expand on the knowledge gained from previous research, three additional focus group studies were conducted. The focus group studies show that accessibility and usability issues of group support applications are impeding persons who are blind from productive group work. The implications of the results from this research project are also discussed.

An Accessibility Evaluation of Social Media Through Mobile Device for Elderly

Elderly adults aged 65 years and older are considered the smallest age group among social media users due to age-related impairments and lack of technology comprehension. This paper presents a literature review and preliminary evaluation regarding the accessibility and usability issues experienced by elderly adults accessing social media through a mobile platform. The preliminary evaluation of five mobile apps using general accessibility and usability guidelines showed that there were problems with the color contrast and small button size in most of the mobile apps evaluated. In addition, pilot accessibility and usability test with the two elderly participants indicated the need for training for the elderly. Recommendations for future research directions were also presented.

Gaining insight into the application of second life in a computing course: students' perspectives

As educational delivery methods have changed over the years, often through enhancement by technology, new and innovative strategies have been introduced to enhance learning. Virtual worlds such as Second Life are being used as an educational tool in many domains and for a variety of purposes. To gain a further understanding of the use of virtual worlds in the classroom from a students perspective, the authors discuss the feedback gained from students about their participation utilizing Second Life in a computer course. Pre and post surveys were distributed to the class to get students feedback. The responses from these surveys are reported in this paper.