The technical framework of interactive functions for course-management systems: Students’ perceptions,uses, and evaluations

This study explores the interactivity of course-management systems (CMSs). First, this study reviews the concepts of interactivity, interactivity dimension, and interaction type on the basis of related theories and studies. Second, this study analyzes the interactive functions attributable to the six major CMSs in Taiwan colleges and universities, and re-constructs a technical framework containing five interaction types, nine interactivity dimensions, and 83 possible interactive functions. This study has found that a total of 21 interactive functions were featured in the six CMSs, while six functions identified from theories and research were not. In terms of interaction type, the results indicate that these six CMSs possessed the highest percentage of possible interactive functions for facilitating human interactions (e.g., learner–learner interaction and learner–instructor interaction), followed by learner–interface interaction and learner–self interaction, with the lowest percentage corresponding to learner–content interaction. In terms of interactivity dimension, these six CMSs seemed more likely to feature a learner-centered design approach than a system-centered one. Also, this study conducted user surveys on students’ perceptions, use, and evaluation of these interactive functions. A total of 491 valid sets of data were collected from six CMS user groups. The results indicate that, for their online learning, students considered the function of “Assignment handling” to be the most known, frequently used, and useful function. In addition, students were well familiar with, and made use of, any functions that would help them monitor or track their learning process. Students required more content-related interactive functions than were currently available in CMSs. Last, the regression results indicate that the more positively the students perceived the CMS interactivity, the usefulness of CMS for learning, and the interactive functions, the more positively these students perceived their CMSs.     

Development of an electronic book accessibility standard for physically challenged individuals and deduction of a production guideline

Unlike popular web-based internet and mobile applications, electronic books and similar products have lower distribution and less accessibility, making them difficult for vulnerable social groups to utilize. Various institutions have proposed electronic publication (EPUB) accessibility guidelines, based on the IDEF modeling language, to provide accessible content for electronic publications. However, these are merely guidelines for securing accessibility of common electronic books. They are not geared toward the visually impaired persons. Moreover, even if accessibility standards exist, it becomes even more difficult to then find examination tools that can fully verify standards compliance. This study establishes an electronic book accessibility standard for the physically challenged individuals, based on the EPUB 3.0 accessibility guideline. We developed an automatic/semi-automatic examination tool that can test the standard. We linked the SIGIL electronic book reader, having the highest market share in Korea, to an examination tool to verify error detection performance. Lastly, an accessibility test was performed on 50 electronic books, commercially used in the Korean electronic book market, to assess which accessibility standard domain is the most problematic. Thus, we propose a guideline on matters that should be considered when writing electronic books in Korea.     

Contributions of Dichotomic View of plasticity to seamlessly embed accessibility and adaptivity support in user interfaces

Recent legal changes have increased the need for developing accessible user interfaces in computer-based systems. In this sense, previously existing user interfaces are intended to be modified and new user interfaces are intended to be designed taking accessibility guidelines into account. Typically, model-based approaches have been used when developing accessible user interfaces or redefining existing ones. But the use of static models leads to the development of not dynamically adaptable user interfaces. Dynamic adaptation in accessible user interfaces is important due to the fact that interaction difficulties on people with disabilities may change through use. In this paper, we present some contributions that can be obtained from the application of the Dichotomic View of plasticity in the personalization of user interfaces. With the double perspective defined in this approach, it is intended to go further from a mere adaptation to certain user stereotypes, offering also a dynamic support to real limitations or difficulties users can encounter during the use of the UI. This goal is achieved analyzing user logs by an inference engine that dynamically infers modifications in the user interface to adjust it to varying user needs. A case study is presented in order to show how the guidelines and software support defined in the Dichotomic View of plasticity can be applied to develop a component for a particular system aimed at performing dynamic user interface adaptations with accessibility purposes. This approach includes some innovations that make it different from conventional adaptable mechanisms applied to accessibility in some important aspects.     

User attitude as a mediator of learning performance improvement in an interactive multimedia environment: an empirical investigation of the degree of interactivity and learning styles

Multimedia technology-based interactive learning/training programs have recently emerged as major tools for learning in educational settings (schools), at home and for training in corporations. Multimedia aspects and an ability to interact with the programs are claimed to enhance the learning experiences. A central thesis of this study is that such “interactive multimedia learning systems” would significantly improve users' attitudes, and that this, in turn, would enhance their learning achievement. An additional thesis of the study is that the “learning style” of the users will moderate the relationship between interactivity and attitude. This article reports the findings of a controlled quasi-experimental study of the influences of “interactivity” on six different dimensions of user attitude (content, format, user-control, feedback, ease of use and motivation) and performance improvement (achievement-gain). The results indicate that interactivity positively influences user attitude, and some dimensions of attitude translate into enhanced user performance. The study finds some interesting support for the moderating effects of learning styles. Implications and future research directions are discussed.     

On designing interactivity awareness for ambient displays

In the not-so-distant world in which ambient displays will likely become prevalent, immediate awareness of their interaction affordances to passerbies will be decisive for their usability. However, how to address awareness at user perception level represents a challenge for which little progress has been made so far in contrast with considerable advances in designing interaction techniques for such displays. Even though many interactive ambient displays exist with properly designed interfaces, people may not always be aware of their interactivity. This work addresses the problem of interactivity awareness by focusing on two important questions: How can people tell whether a public display is interactive or not? and, assuming interactivity, How can people tell what the interface is? A study was conducted in order to investigate factors potentially related to perceived interactivity. Results show that people’s evaluations are correct in most cases but they also tend to form incorrect perceptions in many other situations. We found that location, installation, reachability, and displayed content are factors that can influence people’s perceptions. Our findings are complemented with a discussion of techniques that can be used in the practice of designing for interactivity awareness.     

Flexible and robust multimodal interfaces for universal access

Multimodal interfaces are inherently flexible, which is a key feature that makes them suitable for both universal access and next-generation mobile computing. Recent studies also have demonstrated that multimodal architectures can improve the performance stability and overall robustness of the recognition-based component technologies they incorporate (e.g., speech, vision, pen input). This paper reviews data from two recent studies in which a multimodal architecture suppressed errors and stabilized system performance for accented speakers and during mobile use. It concludes with a discussion of key issues in the design of future multimodal interfaces for diverse user groups.     

VoiceXML dialog system of the multimodal IP-Telephony—The application for voice ordering service

The development of IP-Telephony in recent years has been substantial. The improvement in voice quality, the integration between voice and data, especially the interaction with multimedia has made the 3G communication more promising. The value added services of Telephony techniques alleviate the dependence on the phone and provide a universal platform for the multimodal telephony applications. For example, the web-based application with VoiceXML has been developed to simplify the human–machine interaction because it takes the advantage of the speech-enabled services and makes the telephone-web access a reality. However, it is not cost-efficient to build voice only stand-alone web application and is more reasonable that voice interfaces should be retrofitted to be compatible or collaborate with the existing HTML or XML-based web applications. Therefore, this paper considers that the functionality of the web service should enable multiple access modalities so that users can perceive and interact with the site in either visual or speech response simultaneously. Under this principle, our research develops a prototype system of multimodal VoIP with the integrated web-based Mandarin dialog system which adopts automatic speech recognition (ASR), text-to-speech (TTS), VoiceXML browser, and VoIP technologies to create user friendly graphic user interface (GUI) and voice user interface (VUI). The users can use traditional telephone, cellular phone, or even VoIP connection via personal computer to interact with the VoiceXML server. In the mean time, the users browse the web and access the same content with common HTML or XML-based browser. The proposed system shows excellent performance and can be easily incorporated into voice ordering service for a wider accessibility.     

Using speech and dialogue for interactive TV navigation

Interaction techniques for interactive television (iTV) are currently complex and difficult to use for a wide-range of viewers. Few previous studies have dealt with the potential benefits of multimodal dialogue interaction in the context of iTV for the purpose of flexibility, usability, efficiency, and accessibility. This paper investigates the benefits of introducing speech and connected dialogue for iTV interaction, and presents a case study in which a prototype system was built allowing users to navigate the information space and control the operation of the TV by a speech-based natural language interface. The system was evaluated by analysing the user experience in five categories capturing essential aspects of iTV interaction: interaction style, information load, data access, effectiveness and initiative. Design considerations relevant for speech and dialogue information systems for TV interfaces also emerged from the analysis.     

Interactivity and memory: Information processing of interactive versus non-interactive content

Existing research on the effects of interactivity tends to treat it as a global characteristic of the interface. However, not all content on an interface is endowed with interactive features. Therefore, it is important to explore how interactivity affects the cognitive processing of those particular content that is presented with interactive features and the surrounding content without these features. With this objective, a between-subjects experiment was conducted to understand how levels of interactivity affect information processing among users of an e-commerce website. The major findings of the study are: 1) Higher interactivity enhances recognition as well as recall memory of interactive content, but diminishes recognition and recall memory of non-interactive content; 2) Individuals spend the least amount of time on the interface with high interactivity, while most of this time is spent on interactive part rather than non-interactive part of the interface; 3) A moderate level of interactivity attracts most user attention to product information. The findings about interactivity’s effect have implications for cue-summation theory and limited capacity theory. The experiment’s results also hold practical implications for e-tailers.     

Interactive multi-user video retrieval systems

In this paper we present two interactive multi-user systems for video search and browsing. The first is composed by web applications which allows multiuser interaction in a distributed environment; such applications are based on the Rich Internet Application paradigm, designed to obtain the levels of responsiveness and interactivity typical of a desktop application. The second system implements a multi-user collaborative application within a single location, exploiting multi-touch devices. Both systems use the same backend, based on a service oriented architecture (SOA) that provides services for automatic and manual annotation, and an ontology-based video search and browsing engine. Ontology-based browsing let users to inspect the content of video collections; user queries are expanded through ontology reasoning. User-centered field trials of the systems, conducted to assess the user experience and satisfaction, have shown that the approach followed to design these interfaces is extremely appreciated by professional archivists and people working on multimedia.     

Sharing control [multiple miniature robots]

Presents a framework for the operation and coordination of multiple miniature robots. Simple teleoperation can be useful in many situations, but the operator's attention must be completely dedicated to controlling the robot. This may be difficult when the task requires the use of multiple robots. This article introduces a layered system that has been developed to facilitate multimodal control. This system includes user interfaces (UI) for teleoperation clients and robust sensor interpretation algorithms for autonomous control clients. A distributed software control architecture dynamically coordinates hardware resources and shares them between the various clients, allowing for simultaneous control of multiple robots.     

VoiceXML dialog system of the multimodal IP-Telephony—The application for voice ordering service

The development of IP-Telephony in recent years has been substantial. The improvement in voice quality, the integration between voice and data, especially the interaction with multimedia has made the 3G communication more promising. The value added services of Telephony techniques alleviate the dependence on the phone and provide a universal platform for the multimodal telephony applications. For example, the web-based application with VoiceXML has been developed to simplify the human–machine interaction because it takes the advantage of the speech-enabled services and makes the telephone-web access a reality. However, it is not cost-efficient to build voice only stand-alone web application and is more reasonable that voice interfaces should be retrofitted to be compatible or collaborate with the existing HTML or XML-based web applications. Therefore, this paper considers that the functionality of the web service should enable multiple access modalities so that users can perceive and interact with the site in either visual or speech response simultaneously. Under this principle, our research develops a prototype system of multimodal VoIP with the integrated web-based Mandarin dialog system which adopts automatic speech recognition (ASR), text-to-speech (TTS), VoiceXML browser, and VoIP technologies to create user friendly graphic user interface (GUI) and voice user interface (VUI). The users can use traditional telephone, cellular phone, or even VoIP connection via personal computer to interact with the VoiceXML server. In the mean time, the users browse the web and access the same content with common HTML or XML-based browser. The proposed system shows excellent performance and can be easily incorporated into voice ordering service for a wider accessibility.     

User interface evaluation of interactive TV: a media studies perspective

A diverse user population employs interactive TV (ITV) applications in a leisure context for entertainment purposes. The traditional user interface (UI) evaluation paradigm involving efficiency and task completion may not be adequate for the assessment of such applications. In this paper, we argue that unless ITV applications are evaluated with consideration for the ordinary TV viewer, they are going to be appropriate only for the computer literate user, thus excluding the TV audience from easy access to information society services. The field of media studies has accumulated an extensive theory of TV and associated methods. We applied the corresponding findings in the domain of ITV to examine how universal access to ITV applications can be obtained. By combining these results with emerging affective quality theories for interactive products, we propose a UI evaluation framework for ITV applications.     

基于任务分析的交互式系统用户界面测试研究

交互式系统的用户界面测试很难预测用户的输入,将人机交互领域的任务分析理论应用于交互式系统的用户界面测试,提出了测试用例图形化及测试用例聚焦用户任务的新观点。由于在线帮助是用户界面重要的一部分,在线帮助的测试往往被测试人员忽视,其测试方法也比较陈旧,然而任务分析理论提供了一种有效的方法帮助测试人员保证在线帮助是面向用户任务的,而不是仅仅是软件功能的描述。     

MTBuilder:一个多触点交互桌面界面工具

针对基于WIMP范式的图形用户界面工具不能解决多触点交互桌面的多指手势识别、界面组件朝向等问题,提出基于自然用户界面通用隐喻OCGM(objects,containers,gestures and manipulations)的多触点交互桌面界面工具箱——MTBuilder.首先用层次化多触点数据表示模型存储多触点数据,然后对多指手势识别器进行动态管理以加速识别处理,最后基于OCGM设计并实现界面组件库.通过多人信息浏览、城市规划等原型系统的开发和实验评估可以看出,MTBuilder能够为交互桌面界面构造与快速原型系统开发提供强有力的支持.     

Perceived interactivity leading to e-loyalty: Development of a model for cognitive–affective user responses

Novel applications of website interactivity are important to attract and retain online users. In this empirical study five designs for interactivity are examined using different web-poll interfaces. The goal of the investigation is to examine perceived interactivity in a model which includes most commonly tested cognitive elements such as efficiency and effectiveness, but augments this model with the inclusion of a cognitive–affective element for trust, and an affective element of enjoyment. More specifically, a model is created to validate the relationship of perceived interactivity (comprised of user control, user connectedness, and responsiveness of the web-poll application) to efficiency, effectiveness, trust and enjoyment, of the website. In turn, efficiency, effectiveness, trust, and enjoyment are tested for their influence on user behavioral intentions for e-loyalty. All relationships in the model are supported. In addition, exploratory evaluation of qualitative comments is conducted to investigate additional insights between the five web-poll treatments in this investigation. The research confirms the complexity of a model in which cognitive, cognitive–affective and affective elements are present, and advances knowledge on the consequences of perceived interactivity. In additional to theoretical advancements, the research has merit for web designers and online marketers regarding how to enhance interactive online web applications.     

Motivation and interface design: maximising learning opportunities

Abstract Instructional multimedia is creating a revolution in universities. Academic staff are being urged to transfer instruction to a format suitable for either CD/ROM and/or the Internet, principally the World Wide Web. Many, it seems, simply take their existing course materials, add image and sound without proper consideration of the nature of the medium in which they are seeking to instruct and present the product to their students. In essence, it appears they ignore the need to motivate their students to work with their instructional multimedia materials. It is a contention of this paper that the user-interface to instructional multimedia is strategically important: if it is poorly designed students will not be intrinsically motivated to make use of the product or to learn with it. Interfaces that motivate learners are realistic, easy to use, challenging and engaging. Superior interfaces have some of the elements of a game: they provide the user with a functional model of task, content and processes; they encourage exploration and engagement; and they demonstrate cognisance of design considerations such as interactivity, functionality, learner control and cognition.     

A novel mobile device user interface with integrated social networking services

Modern mobile devices support accessing Web-based social networking services from the user interface (UI) of Web browsers, applications, and mobile widgets. While effectively accessing these services, people may find it tedious to switch between multiple user interfaces in order to be aware of the latest content. Aiming for an improved user experience, we experimented with integration of these services into mobile devices' main user interface. The integrated content is presented beyond application silos and automatically filtered to highlight the relevant elements. A mobile system called LinkedUI was developed and deployed in one lab test and one field study. Three findings emerge from these studies. Firstly, it is feasible to construct an alternative device UI that supports integration of Web content across applications and services via hyperlinking. Time, publisher (e.g., contacts), content types, and geographical locations are key dimensions for association of content. Secondly, the alternative device UI enables better usability of accessing social networking services than accessing them from individual Web sites on mobile devices. It helps people to be aware of the latest content during microbreaks. Thirdly, automatic filtering, on the basis of one user's data, is one promising approach to identifying relevant content. Given filtered content, most people using the automatic filtering approved the functionality and experienced a better sense of control that is arguably due to the reduced information volume.