| Accessibility Guidelines Management Framework | | BIBA | Full-Text | 3-10 | |
| Myriam Arrue; Markel Vigo; Amaia Aizpurua; Julio Abascal | |||
| Due to the extensive amount of information regarding web accessibility developed in recent years, developers find difficulties for creating accessible web applications. Accessibility knowledge management tools can facilitate this task. However, existing tools do not provide enough support to all the activities of the development process. In this sense, developers have to use diverse tools focused on different stages and they are also required to search for accessibility information from different sources. The aim of this paper is to present a framework for managing accessibility guidelines. It serves as a central repository where developers can search for accessibility guidelines, define new guidelines, and share them with other developers and evaluating them automatically. Therefore, this framework facilitates developers' tasks as it gives support to several activities of different stages throughout the development process. | |||
| Accessibility Evaluation for Multimedia Content | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 11-19 | |
| Chieko Asakawa; Takashi Itoh; Hironobu Takagi; Hisashi Miyashita | |||
| Practices supporting Web accessibility are spread out all over the world.
However, the accessibility of multimedia content and rich Internet applications
has been little discussed. These types of content are using a lot of visual
cues and developing new techniques to make their visual interfaces richer.
Therefore, it is generally believed that they are not accessible for people
with visually disabilities. However, since there is neither objective data nor
tools to measure the accessibility of such content, as a first step to tackle
these new accessibility issues we focused on the Flash content. A survey was
conducted using five metrics based on the problems faced by screen reader
users. We developed a survey tool to assess their severity. Our results showed
a complete lack of alternative texts from the developers in the sampled pages.
Also, more than half of tested pages were hidden to screen reader users. We
conclude that most of existing Flash content is not accessible and there is an
emerging need to encourage the use of practices that make Flash content
accessible. Keywords: Flash accessibility; screen reader; GUI accessibility; rich Internet
application; blind | |||
| Tenuta: Strategies for Providing Guidance on Usability and Accessibility | | BIBA | Full-Text | 20-27 | |
| Nigel Bevan; Helen Petrie; Nigel Claridge | |||
| The EU Tenuta project was funded to assist EU eTEN projects improve the usability and accessibility of new e-services that are being validated on a European scale. The challenges facing Tenuta included how to initially convince projects that these were important issues, how to gain the confidence of projects that they would benefit Tenuta assistance, and how Tenuta could make an effective contribution with only a few days support available to each project. The eventual strategy was to arrange activities such as training courses where we made personal contacts with projects, which resulted in being invited to provide on-site support. We carried out usability and accessibility evaluations before visiting projects, and reported the results as part of a two to three day workshop with the project, which included assistance with redesign, and a roadmap for future activities. Projects gave very positive feedback on the benefits obtained. | |||
| Remote Navigability Testing Using Data Gathering Agents | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 28-33 | |
| Martín González Rodríguez; Fidel Díez Díaz; Agueda Vidau | |||
| Testing for web navigability is one of the most important steps in the
design of web product. However, navigability testing is an expensive technique
which requires the use of many human resources. The user behavior recorded in
such kind of tests is usually affected by the artificial situation created in
the laboratory. In order to avoid such kind of drawbacks, we have developed
ANTS (Automatic Navigability Testing System), an application able to observe
and to record spontaneous user behavior in his/her own home. Keywords: Agents; Navigability Testing; Usability Testing; Remote Testing; ANTS | |||
| Enabling Accessibility and Enhancing Web Experience: Ordering Search Results According to User Needs | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 34-44 | |
| Alice Good; Jenny Jerrams-Smith | |||
| This paper presents the results of an exploratory study, which aimed to
devise a means of improving web accessibility for users with impairments. It
looks at how web pages can be rated for accessibility using specific
algorithms. These algorithms analyse and select web pages according to user
preferences. The study gathered user defined ratings of web page elements, for
different categories of special needs' users that affect accessibility. The
algorithms were then created using the results of these ratings. The paper also
demonstrates the work in progress in relation to the extension of the Computer
Aided Internet Navigation (CAIN) system, which aims to improve accessibility to
web based information by re-ordering search results according to user needs. Keywords: Accessibility; special needs; web navigation; algorithms | |||
| An Evaluation of Accessibility of Hierarchical Data Structures in Data Broadcasting -- Using Tactile Interface for Visually-Impaired People -- | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 45-54 | |
| Takuya Handa; Tadahiro Sakai; Kinji Matsumura; Yasuaki Kanatsugu; Nobuyuki Hiruma; Takayuki Ito | |||
| We have been developing a barrier-free information receiving system for the
purpose of communicating information in digital broadcasting to
visually-impaired people. In the service of data broadcasting in digital
broadcasting, many items constitute the menu screen. In this report,
presentation methods and access methods using touch in combination with audio
for the purpose of effective communication of menu screen structure are briefly
explained. Secondly, results of evaluation experiments conducted to obtain a
guideline to design hierarchical presentation structures easily accessible by
visually impaired people, using the tactile interface in combination with audio
presentation were discussed by focusing on the hierarchical structure of menu
screens in data broadcasting. Keywords: accessibility; hierarchical structure; data broadcasting; tactile interface;
visually-impaired | |||
| Web Accessibility Compliance of Government Web Sites in Korea | | BIBA | Full-Text | 55-63 | |
| Joonho Hyun; Doojin Choi; Sukil Kim | |||
| This paper introduces Korean web accessibility activities, such as relational laws, ordinances, policies, guidelines. It also presents analytical result of the investigation on web-contents accessibilities of the 39 Korean government agencies. The result shows that only one agency provides web contents satisfying all the minimum requirements, while 97% of the agencies does not satisfy all the minimum requirements. Unfortunately, 6 agencies do not satisfy any. | |||
| Usability Evaluation of Korean e-Government Portal | | BIBA | Full-Text | 64-72 | |
| Seongil Lee; Joo Eun Cho | |||
| This paper reports the results of an evaluative study of the Korean e-Government portal from the usability perspectives, using a common set of performance metrics from user participation. For fourteen civil affairs service sites, 51 participants performed usability tests and post-test interviews. The results showed that even though the e-Government services are fairly attainable, it takes too many steps and long time for users to complete the given tasks. The overall success rate to complete the tasks on e-Government was 0.69 and it took more than 4 minutes and 12 page navigations on average to complete simple transactions. A strong digital divide could be observed in the use of e-Government services in that the users with different vocations and ages resulted in difference in perceived usability and actual performance. Results suggest that not only are there wide variations in the usability for the services provided, but that significant work still needs to be undertaken in order to make the services of the e-Government more usable, particularly for the older users. | |||
| Accessibility Evaluation of Korean e-Government | | BIBA | Full-Text | 73-78 | |
| Seongil Lee; Byung Geun Kim; Jong Gon Kim | |||
| This paper aims to discover to what extent web accessibility is considered by the e-Government's of Korea. Accessibility of the e-Government of Korea was evaluated using Web diagnostic engines that check the compliance level of Web sites to the W3C guidelines. The accessibility of the e-Government was at a lower level, complying to only 10% of the priority 1 checkpoints. This means that lack of coherent government policy for web accessibility causes lack of providing standard e-Government services for the part of the population with special needs. | |||
| The Potential of Web Accessibility in China: A Hypothesis on Its Impact on the Global Web Interface | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 79-87 | |
| Eleanor Lisney; Christina Li; Songtao Liu | |||
| This paper is based on a preliminary research conducted in 2005 into the
current level of web accessibility in China. We evaluated a few websites which
are meant to be information portals for the visually impaired. Results of the
evaluations show none of them is compliant with Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG 1) [1] Level A checkpoints and most of them are
inaccessible at all. Causes behind this situation may include lack of
legislation from the government and lack of accessibility awareness of web
designers. However, we found Chinese Web accessibility also faces more of a
challenge as a result of the complications of Chinese language itself. We hope
this paper could bring the attention of both Chinese government and Chinese web
designers on web accessibility and also help international stakeholders to
understand the facts in China. Keywords: web accessibility; China; visually impaired; language; universal design;
usability; Chinese | |||
| Restoring Semantics to BML Content for Data Broadcasting Accessibility | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 88-97 | |
| Kinji Matsumura; Yasuaki Kanatsugu; Takuya Handa; Tadahiro Sakai | |||
| This paper proposes a method to enable visually impaired viewers to access
data broadcasting content by using various accessible devices. Data
broadcasting, coded in Broadcast Markup Language, has been almost inaccessible
because of its usage of dynamic HTML features and lack of semantics. This
method uses a template rule to transcode BML content into an accessible static
description with structure and semantics. An implementation of a trial receiver
system and an experiment on transcoding are described. Keywords: Data Broadcasting; BML; Accessibility; Transcoding | |||
| Making Multimedia Internet Content Accessible and Usable | | BIBA | Full-Text | 98-107 | |
| Hisashi Miyashita; Hironobu Takagi; Daisuke Sato; Chieko Asakawa | |||
| Although multimedia content containing streaming media is now widely used on
the World Wide Web, there exist considerable difficulties for blind users to
access such content, due to its dynamic changes, keyboard inoperability, and
audio interference with the speech from assistive software. In particular, the
third problem of audio interference is serious for blind users, since
multimedia content often contains streaming media such as video and music which
continuously play sounds, and thus they cannot hear the speech, which is masked
by the loud media.
In this paper, we propose a new accessible browser that can directly manipulate such multimedia content. In order to control Flash contents, our browser relies on a transcoding HTTP proxy to inject special scripts into the Flash content and then manipulates the embedded streaming media and sound objects via the injected scripts. By using our browser, users can easily turn the volume up or down, play, stop, or pause the streaming media with shortcut keys. Since the users do not need to focus on buttons or sliders for these operations, they can immediately stop or fade out the intrusive media when listening to speech from assistive software. | |||
| An Evaluation of Mobile 3D-Based Interaction with Complex Multimedia Environments | | BIBA | Full-Text | 108-115 | |
| Ali A. Nazari Shirehjini; Jafar Movahedi | |||
| This paper describes the evaluation of an intuitive mobile environment controller. Through its 3D-based user interface, the PDA based controller provides the user with mobile access to her/his physical environment and ambient media. The goal of this usability evaluation is to test the performance and analyse the user acceptance of 3D-based interaction systems compared with traditional WIMP-based controllers. At first this paper describes the interaction model which has been evaluated. Then it explains the experiment and the approach of the evaluation. Finally we present and discuss our results. | |||
| Detection of Layout-Purpose TABLE Tags Based on Machine Learning | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 116-123 | |
| Hidehiko Okada; Taiki Miura | |||
| To make webpages more accessible to people with disabilities, <table>
tags should not be used as a means to layout document content. Therefore, to
evaluate the accessibility of webpages, it should be checked whether the pages
include layout-purpose <table> tags. Automated precise detection of
layout-purpose <table> tags in HTML sources is still a research challenge
because it requires further than simply checking whether specific tags and/or
attributes of the tags are included in the sources. We propose a method for the
detection that is based on machine learning. The proposed method derives a
<table> tag classifier that deduces the purpose of a <table> tag:
the classifier deduces whether a <table> tag is a layout-purpose one or a
table-purpose one. We have developed a system that derives classification rules
by ID3. The system derives a decision tree from a set of learning data
(<table> tags of which the purposes are known) and classifies
<table> tags in webpages under evaluation. Classification accuracy was
evaluated by cross validation with 200 test data collected from the Web. Result
of the evaluation revealed that 1) the tags can be roughly classified with
attribute values of border, number of rows, number of tags that appear ahead of
the <table> tag, and the nest of <table> tags (i.e., these
attributes are more likely to appear in upper layers in decision trees), and 2)
the accuracy rates are about 90% for the 200 test data. Keywords: Web accessibility; automated checking; <table> tags; machine learning;
ID3 | |||
| The Usability of Accessibility Evaluation Tools | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 124-132 | |
| Helen Petrie; Neil King; Carlos A. Velasco; Henrike Gappa; Gaby Nordbrock | |||
| A range of accessibility evaluation tools are available to support Web
developers in producing accessible Web resources. It is important that these
tools support web developers very well, so that the developers can concentrate
on the tasks of Web development. In addition, the tools should enhance Web
developers understanding of accessibility issues. This paper presents a
usability evaluation of five entry level accessibility evaluations tools. A
group heuristic evaluation was conducted, with 5 experts in usability and
accessibility working through each tool together, but rating usability problems
separately. The results showed that the usability of these tools is
surprisingly poor and that they do not support web developers adequately in
checking the accessibility of their web resources. Keywords: Web accessibility; accessibility evaluation; accessibility evaluation tools;
usability | |||
| Accessibility Works: Enhancing Web Accessibility in Firefox | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 133-141 | |
| John T. Richards; Vicki L. Hanson; Jonathan P. Brezin; Calvin Swart; Susan Crayne; Mark Laff | |||
| This paper reviews several techniques we have discovered while trying to
extend the Firefox browser to support people with visual, motor, reading, and
cognitive disabilities. Our goal throughout has been to find ways to make
on-the-fly transformations of Web content including adjustments of text and
image size, text style, line and letter spacing, text foreground color, text
background color, page background removal, content linearization, and reading
text aloud. In this paper, we focus primarily on the changes we make to the
browser's Document Object Model (DOM) to transform Web content. We review the
kinds of approaches we have used to make DOM modifications sufficiently fast
and error free. We highlight the problems posed by Web pages with a mix of
static and dynamic content generated by client-side scripts and by Web pages
that use both fixed and relative placement of page elements, pages of the sort
we expect to see in increasingly in the future. Keywords: Web accessibility; transcoding; Document Object Model | |||
| Improving Accessibility for Existing Websites Spanning Multiple Domains | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 142-149 | |
| Takashi Sakairi; Takuya Ohko; Hidemasa Muta | |||
| There are demands for improving accessibility in existing websites by
enlarging text and changing the colors. Typical solutions use technologies such
as ActiveX that can only run on a specific client environment. JavaScript is
supported in many Web browsers, and it can be used to add new functions for
improving the accessibility of existing websites. However, Web browsers
prohibit JavaScript from accessing webpages of another domain, so it is
difficult to improve accessibility for related websites spanning multiple
domains. This paper describes a method that solves the problem. Keywords: Accessibility; Websites; Dynamic HTML; JavaScript; Same Origin Policy | |||
| Large Scale Web Accessibility Evaluation -- A European Perspective | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 150-159 | |
| Mikael Snaprud; Agata Sawicka | |||
| The 2002 eEurope Action Plan advocated adoption of the WAI Content
Guidelines in public EU web sites. Many of the European countries have
performed web accessibility evaluations. Most of the evaluations are based on
the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines from W3C/WAI. Still, a range of
different evaluation methodologies and scoring schemes are deployed across the
member states. This makes it hard to compare the web accessibility status
between the different EU countries. The European Accessibility Internet
Observatory aims to addresses this problem. The Observatory will produce
automated, large scale web accessibility measurements based on which a range of
monthly benchmarks will be produced and published online. In this way, the
benchmarks should provide a useful input to the eAccessibility and eInclusion
policy making. Keywords: web accessibility; benchmarking; large scale evaluation; eInclusion; policy
development | |||
| The BenToWeb XHTML 1.0 Test Suite for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 -- Last Call Working Draft | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 160-166 | |
| Christophe Strobbe; Jan Engelen; Johannes Koch; Carlos A. Velasco; Evangelos Vlachogiannis; Daniela Ortner | |||
| This paper presents the work carried out under the umbrella of the EU-funded
project BenToWeb to develop a complete XHTML 1.0 test suite for the W3C's Web
Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. Initial work covered the June 2005
working draft, which was subsequently updated to the April 2006 working draft
("last call"). At the time of writing, a thorough evaluation, involving end
users, is being carried out. Keywords: test suite; accessibility; Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG);
evaluation and repair tools (ERT); HTML; XHTML; CSS; Web Accessibility
Initiative (WAI); World Wide Web Consortium (W3C); Last Call Working Draft | |||
| DHTML Accessibility Checking Based on Static JavaScript Analysis | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 167-176 | |
| Takaaki Tateishi; Hisashi Miyashita; Naoshi Tabuchi; Shin Saito; Kouichi Ono | |||
| DHTML accessibility is being standardized by W3C, which provides metadata
for UI widgets commonly implemented by HTML and JavaScript. However it is
difficult to check that webpages always have correct metadata according to the
standards of DHTML accessibility since UI widgets can be updated by JavaScript
programs. Thus we propose a technique for checking accessibility of UI widgets.
In this check, we use static program analysis techniques so that we can check
accessibility without executing a program. In addition, we developed a
prototype system based on the proposed technique and applied it to a simple
DHTML application. Keywords: DHTML accessibility; JavaScript; Static program analysis | |||
| A Unified Web Evaluation Methodology Using WCAG | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 177-184 | |
| Eric Velleman; Christophe Strobbe; Johannes Koch; Carlos A. Velasco; Mikael Snaprud | |||
| Checking of web accessibility can be carried out in several ways along the
same international standards and depending on the scale, the quality,
availability of tools and the interpretation method that is followed. The
Unified Web Evaluation Methodology is developed by European expert
organizations and offers test descriptions to evaluate WCAG 1.0 conformance
covering level AA, a clear sampling scheme, improved aggregations supporting
confidence levels, Score cards and other instruments to help communicate the
results of evaluations clearer and on more levels. The aim is to establish the
UWEM as the basis for web accessibility evaluation, policy support and possible
certification in Europe. Keywords: web accessibility; conformance; certification; unified web evaluation
methodology; uwem | |||
| Improving Accessibility Through the Visual Structure of Web Contents | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 185-192 | |
| Masahiro Watanabe; Daisuke Asai; Yoko Asano | |||
| Web accessibility has become one of the most popular research targets. Web
accessibility means the ability to be accessed by all kinds of people or
devices. One problem that some Web pages have rather poor information
structures at the HTML source code level, even though the pages are well
structured visually. In order to transfer the visual structure to the HTML
level structure, we need to identify the graphic design features that influence
human understanding. We examined whether several people interpreted a displayed
structure in the same way or not. Four subjects participated in trials; they
attempted to identify the headers, major items forming the structure of the top
page, of the web sites of 7 local governments in Japan. 80% of the headers were
selected by all subjects so most subjects shared the same understanding of what
constituted a header. Keywords: Web; accessibility; information structure; visual structure | |||
| Editing a Test Suite for Accessibility of Interactive Web Sites | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 193-201 | |
| Gerhard Weber; Kurt Weimann | |||
| A test suite is a set of tools and data to ensure quality of a software
application such as a dynamic web site. Reliability of page by page web
accessibility tests is difficult to achieve as this requires defining
appropriate partitions of the set of all web pages. We propose a partitioning
method based on additional information about reading behaviour by users
especially for measuring readability and ease of navigation. An upper limit for
the path length and hence size of the partition is developed. We present a test
case editor to describe user group specific testing scenarios and additional
types of tests. Keywords: evaluation; software testing; web accessibility | |||
| Discrimination and Perception of the Acoustic Rendition of Texts by Blind People | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 205-213 | |
| Vassilis Argyropoulos; Konstantinos Papadopoulos; Georgios Kouroupetroglou; Gerasimos Xydas; Philippos Katsoulis | |||
| This paper reports on the results from a series of psychoacoustic
experiments in the field of the auditory representation of texts via synthetic
speech which comprise similar acoustic patterns so called "paronyms". The
errors which occur when listening to paronyms are classified as errors of
phonological type. Thirty blind and thirty sighted students participated in
psychoacoustic experiments. The results from the experiments depicted the types
of the subjects' errors and addressed comparisons between the performances of
blind and sighted students on their auditory distinctions towards the chosen
scripts (paronym words and sentences with paronyms). The discussion considered
the practical implications of the findings such as issues regarding education
as well as the development of suitable design of acoustic rendition of texts in
favor of better perception and comprehension. Keywords: text-to-speech; synthetic speech perception; discrimination of synthetic
speech; paronym words | |||
| Using Speech Recognition and Intelligent Search Tools to Enhance Information Accessibility | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 214-223 | |
| Keith Bain; Jason Hines; Pawan Lingras; Yumei Qin | |||
| Access to spoken information presents challenges in educational, work, and
public settings for many individuals. Speech Recognition technology offers a
potential strategy for increasing access in various settings, including the
university lecture environment. An international research team has successfully
experimented with providing speech recognition generated lecture notes,
available online as multimedia enhanced transcripts. Additionally, a specially
designed search and indexing tool was introduced to enhance the user
experience. An exploratory study was conducted to gauge student reactions,
identify usage patterns, and assess ease of use. Keywords: speech recognition; transcription; multimedia; search; retrieval; indexing | |||
| Critical Success Factors for Automatic Speech Recognition in the Classroom | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 224-233 | |
| Steve Bennett; Jill Hewitt; Barry Mellor; Caroline Lyon | |||
| This study looked at continuous automated speech recognition (ASR) to an
audience in a university lecture theatre and ran an evaluation based on a
previous experiment by Ryba, McIvor, Shakir and Paez, which found that
non-native speakers of English were much more favorable towards the use of ASR
in class than native speakers. Our evaluation was done on a class of 29
students composed entirely of non-native speakers/ A strong indicator of the
level of engagement with the technology was the linguistic ability of the user
-- the weaker the student's English, the more he or she tended to look at the
textual output, the greater distraction experienced through poor recognition
and also the greater impatience felt with slow recognition. There also seemed
to be cultural differences -- the Chinese students appeared to look at the
textual output much more than Indian students. We conclude that the 2 axes
around which successful classroom speech recognition occurs are those of
accuracy and unobtrusiveness. The more accurate and unobtrusive the technology,
the more successful will be the automatically transcribed lecture. Keywords: Automatic Speech Recognition; multimodality; accuracy rate | |||
| Developing and Evaluating a TriAccess Reading System | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 234-241 | |
| Ming-Chung Chen; Chien-Chuan Cko; Lih-Yuan Chen; Chun-Han Chiang | |||
| Learners with disabilities experience many difficulties when reading. This
study aimed to develop a TriAccess computer system to assist learners with
disabilities to read effectively. TriAccess provide physical, sensory, and
cognitive supports to learners. The system also offers professionals a
convenient and web-based interface on material development and system
management. In addition, the study conducted a usability evaluation on the
TriAccess. Thirty participants involved in the evaluation process. The results
have shown that the TriAccess system is valuable not only to learners, but also
to instructors, and material developers. Keywords: reading difficulties; universal design; multiple representations | |||
| CAT Motor: An Innovative System to Detect the Behavior of Human Computer Interaction for People with Upper Limb Impairment | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 242-250 | |
| Chien-Chuan Cko; Ming-Chung Chen; Ting-Fang Wu; Su-Ying Chen; Chih-Ching Yeh | |||
| This paper described a system which could measure cursor movement and
control site motion simultaneously. In addition to evaluate a client's pointing
and selecting proficiency, CAT Motor system, developed on the basis of the
previous CAT system, was also used to detect the motion of his control site.
This feature could provide clinical professionals more detailed information
when comparing the difference of performance among devices. The CAT Motor
system consisted of four basic types of mouse operating skills, including
clicking, cursor moving, cursor moving and clicking, and dragging. The CAT
Motor recorded the location and the response of the pointing device and
captured the picture of the control site synchronally. Then, the system
visualized the results of cursor moving and control site motion on the screen.
The CAT Motor system not only provided the professionals with an objective mean
of evaluating specific difficulties of mouse operating difficulties, but also
allowed them to evaluate the effort of the motor control training. Besides,
this paper had some suggestions for the research in the future. Keywords: computer interaction; motion detection; evaluation system | |||
| The BIC Model: A Blueprint for the Communicator | | BIBA | Full-Text | 251-258 | |
| Jan Peter de Ruiter; Nicholas J. Enfield | |||
| In this paper, we outline a cognitive architecture for communicators, called the BIC model. The model consist of three main components. First, a (B)iological component, in which the genetic or built-in capacities of the communicator are specified. Second, an (I)nteraction Engine which uses neo-Gricean mutual simulation to attribute communicative intentions to signals, and to create signals to convey communicative intentions to the I-system of other agents. The third component of the BIC model is a content addressable database of (C)onventions which is used to store form/meaning mappings that have been successfully computed by the I-system. These stored form/meaning mappings are indexed by types of communicative context, so they can be retrieved by the I-system to save computational resources. The model can be used both as a computational architecture for a communication module in an artificial agent and as a conceptual model of the human communicator. | |||
| Conveying Browsing Context Through Audio on Digital Talking Books | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 259-268 | |
| Carlos Duarte; Luís Carriço | |||
| This paper presents the results of a study comparing the use of auditory
icons, earcons and speech in an audio only interface for a digital talking book
player. The different techniques were evaluated according to the identification
errors made, and subjective measures of understandability, intrusiveness and
pleasurability. Results suggest the use of auditory icons combined with speech
whenever necessary, in detriment to the use of earcons, for applications
sharing the characteristics of digital talking book players. Keywords: Evaluation; Audio Interfaces; Auditory Icons; Earcons; Speech; Digital
Talking Books | |||
| An RFID-Based Point-and-Listen Interface Providing Library Access for the Visually Impaired | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 269-278 | |
| Daniel Fallman; Kent Lindbergh; Oskar Fjellstrom; Lars Johansson; Fredrik Nilbrink; Linda Bogren | |||
| We present the AudioIndex prototype, a light-weight mobile RFID-based
point-and-listen interface that allows visually impaired to browse and search
for audio books within a public library without the need for library staff
guidance. AudioIndex has been specifically designed to fit well into the
library environment and its routines, a fit made possible by carefully
considering interaction styles and by solving a number of technical design
challenges, including distribution of data, hardware platform, and RFID
specifications. Keywords: Pointing Interface; RFID; Mobile; Wireless; Visually Impaired; Speech
Synthesis; Design | |||
| Performance Evaluation of Voice Interaction as a Universal Web Interface | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 279-288 | |
| Yu-Ming Fei; Chiuhsiang Joe Lin; Min-Ting Chen; Chih-Cheng Chiang | |||
| A speech interface sometimes provides easy access to WWW information since
it makes browser potentially more friendly and powerful. This study first made
a comparison between a voice and a keyboard input task. It then compared the
voice interface with the keyboard, mouse, and combination of keyboard and mouse
with three WWW browsing tasks. The experimental results showed that the voice
interface performed the input task faster than the keyboard. The voice
interface reached an input accuracy of 92% after sufficient learning. In the
WWW browsing tasks, the voice performed poorly in terms of completion time,
compared to the keyboard, mouse, or both. Nevertheless, the voice interface can
be used to complete the three assigned tasks without problems. The study showed
that voice interaction can be used as a universal web interface, especially for
those who are unable to use the mouse and keyboard due to disabilities. Keywords: Speech interface; Voice interface; IBM ViaVoice; Browse WWW | |||
| Fisheye Views of Java Source Code: An Updated LOD Algorithm | | BIBA | Full-Text | 289-298 | |
| J. Louise Finlayson; Chris Mellish; Judith Masthoff | |||
| One very important aspect of computer programming is reading source code. Whilst this is a relatively simple process for sighted programmers, for blind computer programmers this presents a significant problem. Navigating through and comprehending often thousands of lines of code can be time consuming and difficult. Current development environments have many features that aid the reading of source code for sighted users, however, most of these features are visual in nature and are not translated well into audio by general screen-reader applications. Research has suggested that the use of fisheye views could aid navigation and enhance performance in program comprehension activities for blind programmers. This paper reports the results of a study into creating a better fisheye view of Java source code, by improving the method used to determine each line's 'global importance' or 'Level of Detail' (LOD). The traditional LOD determination method uses only the indentation level of a line to calculate its overall importance. This paper describes the results of the study, and suggests some of the issues which may need to be considered in developing an improved LOD calculation for programming source code. | |||
| A Bayesian Network Approach to Semantic Labelling of Text Formatting in XML Corpora of Documents | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 299-308 | |
| Florendia Fourli-Kartsouni; Konstantinos Slavakis; Georgios Kouroupetroglou; Sergios Theodoridis | |||
| The wide-spread applications of document digitization have lead to the use
of structured digital representation methods such as the XML language.
Extraction methodologies for the formatting metadata can be used on such
structured documents for enhancing their accessibility, including augmented
audio representation of documents. To the best of our knowledge, an effort has
yet to be made to produce an automatic extraction system of semantic
information of the document formatting, solely from document layout, without
the use of natural language processing. In this study a corpus of XML
representations of several issues of a Greek newspaper is used in order to
create and evaluate a semantic classifier of text formatting, based on Bayesian
Networks. Keywords: document accessibility; document analysis; semantic labeling | |||
| Winsight: Towards Completely Automatic Backtranslation of Nemeth Code | | BIBA | Full-Text | 309-318 | |
| Deepa Gopal; Q. Wang; Gopal Gupta; Sachin V. Chitnis; Hai-Feng Guo; Arthur I. Karshmer | |||
| We present the Winsight system, a Windows-based software system for completely automatic translation of Nemeth Braille code to The Winsight system takes hard copy Braille input containing Mathematics (written in Nemeth Braille code) and text (written in contracted Braille) via a scanner, performs image recognition and analysis of the scanned file to generate the ASCII Braille file, automatically separates Nemeth Braille coded expressions and contracted Braille text, backtranslates them to math expressions and text respectively, and produces a print output file in pdf format containing the result of backtranslation. The Winsight system comes with tools that allow users to manually intervene during each step, if they desire, to fix any errors reported by the system or seen by the user. In this paper we give an overview of the Winsight system. | |||
| Authoring Tools for Structuring Text-Based Activities | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 319-328 | |
| Maria Grigoriadou; Grammatiki Tsaganou | |||
| In this paper we present research results and discuss recent directions
concerning the structural analysis of science texts and cognitive aspects of
text elements, such as causal relationships between text elements. We outline
the process of structuring text material for the design of dialogue activities
for science text comprehension in the educational environment of ReTuDiS
(Reflective Tutorial Dialogue System). The system supports text comprehension
using reflective dialogue activities, adapted to learners of different levels
and its authoring tool, ReTuDiSAuth, supports users in authoring dialogue
activities. Keywords: Text structure; authoring tools; dialogue activities; cognitive categories
and causal relationships | |||
| VoxBoox: A System for Automatic Generation of Interactive Talking Books | | BIBA | Full-Text | 329-338 | |
| Aanchal Jain; Gopal Gupta | |||
| We present the VoxBoox system, a system for making digital books accessible to visually impaired individuals via audio and voice. This is accomplished by automatically translating a book published in HTML to VoiceXML, and then further enhancing this VoiceXML rendering of the book to enable listener-controlled dynamic aural navigation. The VoxBoox system has the following salient features: (i) it leverages existing infrastructure since the book that is to be made accessible need only be published digitally using HTML on the visual Web, (ii) it is based on accepted Web standards of HTML and VoiceXML and thus books can be made accessible inexpensively, and (iii) it is user-centered in that the listener (the user) has complete control over (aural) navigation of the book. In this paper, we present details of the technologies that make the VoxBoox system possible, as well as the details of the system itself. A prototype of the VoxBoox system is operational. | |||
| An On-Screen Keyboard for Users with Poor Pointer Control | | BIBA | Full-Text | 339-348 | |
| Rick Kjeldsen | |||
| This paper describes a novel design for an on-screen keyboard that makes it easier for some users with relatively poor pointer control to type. The keyboard uses the edge of the screen to reduce the dimensionality of the pointing task required to identify a character, and uses gesture, rather than click or dwell to select it for typing. A prototype keyboard is used in a study involving people with and without physical impairments using several types of pointing devices. The results show that this approach has some significant advantages compared to a conventional two dimensional on-screen keyboard, especially with some types of pointing devices. | |||
| Multimodal Technology for Municipal Inspections: An Evaluation Framework | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 349-357 | |
| Irina Kondratova; Jeff Rankin; Ashley Goggin | |||
| Our paper discusses research on using multimodal interaction to improve
usability of mobile data entry. This can benefit users of mobile technologies
such as mobile workers, construction crews, and students collecting data during
field trips. The evaluation of a mobile multimodal application for construction
field work was conducted in the laboratory. Designing this laboratory
experiment required a detailed definition of the type of device to be used,
user requirements, including interaction techniques and usage context. During
this work we discovered a need to develop a generic evaluation framework to
assist in the selection of mobile technology and interaction techniques for
further testing. The development of such a framework for municipal inspections
with a focus on field inspections is discussed. This paper presents examples of
using our framework to gain a better understanding of the contextual aspects
influencing the feasibility of using mobile technology in the field. Keywords: mobile technology; multimodal interaction; speech recognition; usability | |||
| The Effects of Spatially Enriched Browsing Shortcuts on Web Browsing of Blind Users | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 358-367 | |
| Christos Kouroupetroglou; Michail Salampasis; Athanasios Manitsaris | |||
| The Web has turned out to be an interactive and complex information seeking
environment where apart from text, layout and visual cues play a significant
role in its efficient use. In this paper we present a semantic web based
framework for communicating this visual meta-information to blind users who
miss it. Based on annotations of web pages blind users are given a set of
browsing shortcuts within a web page and this way they can move easily to the
desired point of the page. In addition to this mechanism we enhanced these
annotations with spatial information and we provide blind users with a
spatially enriched variation of the browsing shortcuts mechanism. To test its
effects on web browsing of blind users we conducted an experiment with 15 users
participating. The results indicate that there is no significant improvement
when using the spatially enriched variation of the shortcut feature but there
is a decrease in time and keystrokes when the browsing shortcuts mechanism is
used alone. Keywords: Web accessibility; Semantic Web; browsing shortcuts; spatial information | |||
| Chatting with an AAC (Augmentative/Alternative Communication Device) | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 368-370 | |
| Scott H. Kuebler; Ronald C. Kuebler | |||
| Communicating with someone using an electronic communication device is
different from routine conversation. Despite enormous technological progress,
talking with a person with a disability using an electronic communicator is an
acquired skill. Very few people in the general population and few professionals
know how to chat with someone using an assistive device. Experience a
conversation now so you will not have to avoid it when you need to talk to
someone who communicates with a device. Let's overcome the fear of talking with
someone who uses an AAC device to facilitate communication. Keywords: Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC); Assistive Technology; Down's
syndrome; mental retardation; electronic conversation; Picture Communication
Symbols (PCS); speech therapy; ChatPC; conversational dynamics; volunteers | |||
| A Flexible On-Screen Keyboard: Dynamically Adapting for Individuals' Needs | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 371-379 | |
| Yun Lung Lin; Ming-Chung Chen; Ya-Ping Wu; Yao-Ming Yeh; Hwa-Pey Wang | |||
| This study was to design an alternative on-screen keyboard and evaluate the
efficacy of this innovative layout design for people with severe physical
disability. The matrix keyboard layouts was designed based on human computer
interaction. A repeated experiment was performed to compare the speed and
accuracy of text entry with point-and-click input method between the matrix
on-screen keyboard and the Windows XP QWERTY virtual keyboard. Data analysis
revealed that the matrix on-screen keyboard provided better performance for the
participant. The result also indicates that layout adaptation assessment is a
valid tool to confirm proper layout size for users and that alphabetic order is
better than QWERTY order for a novice user to learn a new on-screen keyboard. A
usability study was undertaken to evaluation the performance of the double
click instead of the point-and-click plus Shift key input method. The possible
causes of the results and suggestions for further studies are discussed. Keywords: accessibility; on-screen keyboard; scanning selection | |||
| Evaluation of RSVP and Display Types on Decoding Performance of Information Extraction Tasks | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 380-388 | |
| Ya-Li Lin; Chun-Min Ho | |||
| The decoding performance of information extraction is important for data
analysis and decision making. The objective of this study is to evaluate the
effects of display types (TYPE) shown in web pages using different techniques
of rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) on decoding performance for
different information extraction tasks (TASK). Twenty-four subjects (12 males,
12 females) participated in the information extraction tasks. Two factorial
designs with blocking experiment were used to collect the response time data.
In Experiment 1 (TASK includes finding exact value and identifying the trend),
the results showed that both the 2-way interactions of RSVP and TASK as well as
TYPE and TASK would significantly affect mean response time. In Experiment 2
(TASK includes finding maximum and comparing two values), the results showed
that the 3-way interaction of RSVP, TYPE, and TASK would significantly affect
mean response time. Keywords: Rapid Serial Visual Presentation; Dynamic Visual Interfaces; Graphical
Perception; Quantitative Information Extraction; Decoding Performance | |||
| A Large Scale Study of English-Chinese Online Dictionary Search Behavior | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 389-398 | |
| Yong Liu; Jianmiao Fan | |||
| This paper presents a large scale study of user search behavior on a popular
online dictionary website. Our goal is to understand the current status of
online dictionary, especially English-Chinese dictionary user search behavior
by analyzing 10 million queries on Dict.cn website during the period form late
2006 to early 2007. We believe our findings will help traditional dictionary
publishers and online dictionary providers to improve their existing products
and services, and further develop innovative services to better serve the
unique needs of their users. Keywords: Online dictionary; search interface; English-Chinese dictionary | |||
| Design of Computer Integrated Safety and Health Management System | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 399-405 | |
| Hunszu Liu | |||
| Diverse safety and health operation data collected and stored in different
departments have not been fully integrated and utilized by managers due to poor
design of safety and health information system. The safety and health
management system can be depicted, conceptually, as an organic system with
circulation of information flow which carries required data and information to
specified workers and initiates appropriate responses respectively. This study
is targeting to solve the problems of current safety and health management
system through the integration of human information processing theory,
certified safety and health management assessment guidelines and regulations,
and IT techniques. The objective of this study is to propose a framework of
computer integrated safety and health management system. Keywords: Safety and health management; safety information; computer integrated
management system | |||
| Sensor-Driven Adaptation of Web Document Presentation | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 406-415 | |
| Spyros Nathanail; Vassileios Tsetsos; Stathes Hadjiefthymiades | |||
| The increasing variety of user device technologies has raised the necessity
for ubiquitous content provision, which is characterized by "intelligent"
content delivery to end users, irrespectively of their device. Moreover,
changes in the user environment create the necessity of appropriately adapting
the content and its presentation so that it can be more easily perceived. In
this paper, we present a multimodal and adaptive system for Web user interfaces
that deals with these challenges. Using as input a generic and abstract form of
Web content, our system transforms it to a specific data format suitable for
the client device. In addition, it uses contextual information, gathered from
the user environment through a wireless sensor network, in order to present the
served content in an optimal way under the current environmental conditions. Keywords: adaptive user interfaces; abstract user interfaces; context-awareness;
wireless sensor networks | |||
| Effectiveness of Communication Process Support for Senior Citizens with Information Machines | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 416-425 | |
| Yosoko Nishizawa; Yoshinori Wakizaka; Takayuki Yamamoto; Harumi Hasebe | |||
| Senior citizens using IT services have two types of barriers; difficulty of
machine use and lack of motivation to use service. External support is
necessary to lower these two barriers by enhancing interface usability and
promotion of use. In this paper, experiments that were performed to prove the
effectiveness of such supports were discussed. The results of the experiment
showed that promotion of communication among users was effective to lower both
of the two barriers. Keywords: senior citizen; communication; information machines; IPv6 | |||
| Technology Advances and Standardization Toward Accessible Business Graphics | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 426-435 | |
| Hironobu Takagi; Tatsuya Ishihara | |||
| Various types of graphics are exchanged in our daily business and education
processes. In spite of the importance of business graphics, they are not
accessible for visually impaired people, especially for the blind, and this
impacts their productivity at work. Current serialization-based screen reading
techniques do not provide sufficient functionality for accessing graphics. In
this paper, we report the results of our survey to identify next generation
accessibility features in future graphics standards, especially for the
OpenDocument Format (ODF). We will first compare accessibility functions in
various types of existing standards. Then we will report our survey results for
three related areas, a survey of existing business graphics in presentation
documents to unveil the complexity of practical graphics, a survey of research
on various types of graphical taxonomies, and a survey of interface
technologies for representing graphics non-visually, such as screen reading and
pictorial Braille. Finally, we will propose three practical enhancements for
standard graphic formats based on the survey results. Keywords: Accessibility; graphics; presentation; visually impaired; standards;
OpenDocument Format | |||
| Auditory Accessibility of Metadata in Books: A Design for All Approach | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 436-445 | |
| Dimitrios Tsonos; Gerasimos Xydas; Georgios Kouroupetroglou | |||
| There are two issues that are challenging in the life-cycle of Digital
Talking Books (DTB): the automatic labeling of text formatting meta-data in
documents and the multimodal representation of the text formatting semantics.
We propose an augmented design-for-all approach for both the production and the
reading processes of DAISY compliant DTBs. This approach incorporates a
methodology for the real-time extraction and the semantic labeling of text
formatting meta-data. Furthermore, it includes a unified approach for the
multimodal rendering of text formatting, structure and layout meta-data by
utilizing a Document-to-Audio platform to render the acoustic modality. Keywords: e-books; digital talking books; document accessibility; document-to-audio;
auditory accessibility of text formatting; DAISY | |||
| Enhancing the Usability of Real-Time Speech Recognition Captioning Through Personalised Displays and Real-Time Multiple Speaker Editing and Annotation | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 446-452 | |
| Mike Wald; Keith Bain | |||
| Text transcriptions of the spoken word can benefit deaf people and also
anyone who needs to review what has been said (e.g. at lectures, presentations,
meetings etc.) Real time captioning (i.e. creating a live verbatim transcript
of what is being spoken) using phonetic keyboards can provide an accurate live
transcription for deaf people but is often not available because of the cost
and shortage of highly skilled and trained stenographers. This paper describes
the development of a system that can provide an automatic text transcription of
multiple speakers using speech recognition (SR), with the names of speakers
identified in the transcription and corrections of SR errors made in real-time
by a human 'editor'. Keywords: Real time; captioning; speech recognition; editing; multiple speakers;
transcription | |||
| A Study on the Straight-Line Drawing Tasks for the Non-sighted People | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 453-461 | |
| Chih-Fu Wu; Cherng-Yee Leung; Yung-Hsiang Tu; Kuang-Chieh Hsu; Huei-Tang Lin | |||
| A new ruler employs the finger touch to be the main pointing sensor with two
locators at the two ends, and a unique pen in a smooth track to draw a line.
The tasks of making straight line with two difference rulers (Ruler S: ruler
used at school; Ruler C: new touch ruler) between non-sighted people
(blindfolds and blinds) were observed: (1) free-line; (2) constrained-line; (3)
extension-line; (4) closing-line; and (5) conjoining-line. Stages of those
tasks were measured: searching, positioning, plotting, and checking, with
reacting time and the deviation. The Paired t-test shown Ruler S had a larger
reacting time for blinds at task (4), (5). MANOVA shown the blinds had larger
reacting time at task (3), while (5) on deviation; Ruler C had a larger error
at start-point of task (3) and a larger length error of task (3); while Ruler S
had a larger error at end-point of task (4). Conclude that some revised design
of the ruler really affected the performance of the straight-line tasks, while
some did not. Keywords: Industrial design; Straight-line drawing; non-sighted people; ruler | |||
| Performance of Different Pointing Devices on Children with Cerebral Palsy | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 462-469 | |
| Ting-Fang Wu; Ming-Chung Chen | |||
| With the popularization of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), pointing
devices have become standard equipment of most computer systems. However, for
people with motor impairments, accurate cursor control is often difficult or
impossible to achieve. The focus of this study is to empirically compare
effectiveness of three different pointing devices on children with cerebral
palsy in order to select the most efficient device for each individual.
Computerized Assessment Tool was developed to assess clients' cursor control
performance and to provide proper recommendations of pointing devices based on
the results of assessments. Performance of pointing, clicking, and dragging of
using different devices was measured. The results of this study indicated that
Joystick seems to be the most effective device for children with cerebral palsy
to perform cursor control tasks. However, factors such as each participant's
experience and preference may be related. The instrument use in this study,
CAT, seems to be a convenient tool for rehabilitation therapists to assess
clients' cursor control performance. Replication of this study using a larger
sample size, or recruiting clients with different diagnosis and various ages
should be developed. Keywords: Pointing Devices; Children with Cerebral Palsy; Computerized Assessment
Tool; Mouse; Trackball; Joystick; Cursor Control Movement | |||
| User Modeling for Intelligent Interfaces in e-Learning | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 473-480 | |
| Ray Adams | |||
| The emergence of the accessible knowledge society for all underlines the
need for all to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for inclusion. One
way to do so is through e-learning, which itself should be accessible to all
intended users. The mere provision of knowledge systems is not enough, since
the need is for active and accessible learning that engages the participants
effectively. This study explores the hypotheses that the solution is to be
found in systems that: (i) support rather than replace the tutor, (ii) are
accessible to the intended populations of users, (iii) can be adapted to the
needs and individual characteristics of diverse users, (iv) are smart enough to
adapt in real time to changing user needs, (v) reflect best practice in
learning psychology, (vi) provide a high quality student experience, (vii)
provide a high quality tutor experience and (viii) use valid student modeling.
These hypotheses are evaluated through the five case studies. Accessibility and
student modeling turnout to be the weakest points. All the other features are
well represented in the case studies. None placed any kind of substantial
emphasis upon accessibility. Only one of the case studies (case study 2;
Cognitive Tutor Authoring Tools) makes a substantial effort in user modeling,
being based upon the generic, cognitive model ACT. Even then, the focus tends
to be on the typical or average user and does not address the problems of user
diversity. Clearly, accessibility and user modeling need much more work in
e-learning. Keywords: user modeling; intelligent interfaces; e-learning; tutoring systems | |||
| Ubiquitous Access to Learning Material in Engineering | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 481-490 | |
| Andreas Auinger; Christian Stary | |||
| Advances in mobile computing allow new ways of any-time and any-where,
networked and dislocated knowledge transfer. Such new ways of instant learning
access are especially required in the field of engineering, due to its
increasing complexity and diversification of tasks, and the resulting skill
profiles of engineers. Qualification support has been achieved by providing an
integrated e-/m-learning solution in the ELIE project (E- Learning In
Engineering). It adapts didactically relevant content to both, the technical
properties of multiple devices, and the situation of the learner. The
structuring process for content is based on elicited experiences of coaches. In
this way, it ensures high didactic value of learning material. Since this
expert knowledge can be encoded into content directly, self-directed transfer
processes can be triggered and managed effectively. The procedure for content
development we propose enables coaches not only to follow the implementation of
their knowledge in a transparent way, but also to reuse content, either as
marked as didactic entities, redesigning them, or re-assigning didactic
qualities to content. As technical enabler XML data structures have been
developed for the encoding at the environment level. Both, in the web and the
mobile learning setting, data are displayed sensitive to the user, the transfer
situation, and the device at hand. In addition, users might link content
elements to individually selected communication elements, such as entries in a
discussion forum. The evaluation performed so far indicate several benefits for
learners and coaches. Keywords: mobile learning; didactics in e-learning; content management | |||
| ICT Educational Tools and Visually Impaired Students: Different Answers to Different Accessibility Needs | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 491-500 | |
| Stefania Bocconi; Silvia Dini; Lucia Ferlino; Cristina Martinoli; Michela Ott | |||
| In order to guarantee equal opportunities to all students, the accessibility
of ICT educational tools is worldwide considered a major issue. Nowadays,
visually impaired students can take advantage of a large number of effective
assistive technologies but, while using electronic material for learning
purposes, they often encounter a number of different accessibility and
usability problems. The variety of obstacles they may find on their way is
quite large mainly because the term "visually impaired" encompasses a wide
range of deficits, ranging from blindness to a number of other multifaceted,
although less severe, visual impairments. The accessibility requirements for
e-learning products established by the laws in force in the different European
and non-European countries can be considered an important step onwards; further
measures, nevertheless, are still needed to foster the actual "usability" of
such products by sight impaired people. Keywords: low vision; blind; accessibility; usability; educational software;
e-learning | |||
| Modeling Content and Expression of Learning Objects in Multimodal Learning Management Systems | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 501-510 | |
| Giorgio Brajnik | |||
| The paper discusses the relation between accessibility and multimodality of
learning objects. I present a framework, rooted in linguistics, that supports a
clear distinction between content and expression of learning objects. The
framework supports different types of content elements, and different
expression elements in which content can be rendered, which include different
expression media, multimedia components and
spatial/temporal/hyper-relationships. I show what accessibility means in such a
framework, and what the consequences of accessibility are in terms of automatic
transformations of expression that can occur on student platforms. I argue that
accessibility of learning objects, though making them multimodal, is not a
satisfactory solution from the viewpoint of learning effectiveness. I claim
that content modeling needs to be a crucial step in the development of any
learning object, and propose notations based on conceptual maps and UML
diagrams. Keywords: knowledge modeling; accessibility; operability of user interfaces | |||
| Entertainment and Ambient: A New OLDES' View | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 511-519 | |
| Massimo Busuoli; T. Gallelli; M. Haluzík; V. Fabián; Daniel Novák; Olga Stepánková | |||
| This work introduces a new concept of supporting elderly at their homes. The
whole framework is being developed under OLDES project: Older People's
e-services at home. OLDES aims at developing a very low cost and easy to use
entertainment and health care platform designed to ease the life of older
people in their homes. The platform is based on a PC corresponding to
Negroponte's paradigm of a € 100 device, giving the guarantee of an
affordable system. OLDES provides: user entertainment services, through
easy-to-access thematic channels and special interest forums supported by
animators; and health care facilities based on established Internet and
tele-care communication standards. As an example of OLDES platform
implementation, two pilot projects are addressed: 100 clients pilot including
10 people with cardiological problems in Bologna, Italy and diabetes pilot in
Prague, Czech Republic. Keywords: Ambient intelligence; entertainment; user interface; diabetes and cardiac
disease monitoring | |||
| Virtual and Mixed Reality Interfaces for e-Training: Examples of Applications in Light Aircraft Maintenance | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 520-529 | |
| Johannes Christian; Horst Krieger; Andreas Holzinger; Reinhold Behringer | |||
| There is evidence that recent developments in Augmented Reality (AR)
technology has the potential to be applied as pervasive media on multiple
devices in different ways and contexts, especially with low-cost devices
including Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) applications on smart phones or
Pocket-PCs. In this paper we present a framework in order to combine the
pervasive e-education concept with augmented reality content for e-training. We
analyze current research, discuss some examples from ultralight / light sport
aircraft maintenance and show how to apply this framework generically. We
present a learning engine to deliver this special type of content and provide a
further outlook of future research. A user-centered approach must ensure that
the developments can stimulate motivation and enhance performance of the end
users in different training sessions. The main benefit is, that the end users
are enabled to better perceive complex, technical facts, systems and
components. Keywords: e-training; augmented reality; pervasive e-education; performance support;
human computer interaction; usability engineering | |||
| A Holistic Approach to the Evaluation of E-Learning Systems | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 530-538 | |
| Maria Francesca Costabile; Teresa Roselli; Rosa Lanzilotti; Carmelo Ardito; Veronica Rossano | |||
| This paper describes the eLSE methodology to evaluate e-learning systems. By
combing a specific inspection technique with user-testing, eLSE allows
inspectors, even not having a wide experience in evaluating e-learning systems,
to perform accurate evaluations. The inspection technique is based on the use
of evaluation patterns which precisely describe the activities to be performed
during inspection. For this reason, it is called Pattern-Based (PB) inspection.
An experiment has shown that novice evaluators are able to come out with good
results, confirming the efficiency and the effectiveness of PB inspection. Keywords: Usability inspection; e-learning system; controlled experiment | |||
| How Can HCI Factors Improve Accessibility of m-Learning for Persons with Special Needs? | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 539-548 | |
| Matjaz Debevc; Mateja Verlic; Primoz Kosec; Zoran Stjepanovic | |||
| Mobile learning, or m-learning, respectively, can be stated as an upgrade of
e-learning, valuable for mobile users using new mobile technology and
telecommunication systems. The article presents the influence of m-learning
system intended for supporting a remote engineering application. Here, we
examined the usability of the application designed for people with special
needs taking into account the main human-computer interaction factors. User
interface for mobile systems served as a platform for examining the
functionalities of a micro-controlled system. Two usability testing methods,
involving some persons with special needs, were conducted in order to examine
the usability of the system. The results gained are valuable for designing
improved, future-oriented m-learning applications. Keywords: m-learning; accessibility; usability; evaluation; persons with special needs | |||
| Accessible and Adaptive e-Learning Materials: Considerations for Design and Development | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 549-558 | |
| Matjaz Debevc; Zoran Stjepanovic; Petra Povalej; Mateja Verlic; Peter Kokol | |||
| The aspect of accessibility and adaptivity is important for future of
e-Learning applications. Creating e-Learning applications for everybody,
including people with special needs, remains the question. The problem with
development of e-Learning applications for everybody is that learner ability
and weaknesses are usually neglected as important factors while developing
applications. Most of nowadays applications offer lots of unclear information,
unsuitable contents and non-adapted mechanisms. This paper suggests basic
guidelines for successful design and structuring accessible and adaptive
e-Learning applications that consider the requests and needs of people with
special needs. It provides an example of design and realization of e-Learning
application for receiving ECDL certificate, which includes easy adaptivity and
basic accessibility factors. Experimental results of usability testing and
pedagogical effectiveness have shown that material, designed following these
guidelines, is appropriate and that there must be extra attention paid to
learnability factor in the future. Keywords: e-Learning; accessibility; adaptive user interfaces; usability; evaluation;
people with special needs | |||
| Web 2.0 Technology: Future Interfaces for Technology Enhanced Learning? | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 559-568 | |
| Martin Ebner; Andreas Holzinger; Hermann A. Maurer | |||
| Web 2.0 is an emerging catch phrase and the applications associated with it
shocked the traditional eLearning world. However, is this really all new and
can it be considered suitable for future interfaces for technology enhanced
learning? In this paper, we present some experiences with LearnLand. This is an
application designed and developed at Graz University of Technology and which
has been running there since October 2006. It is based on the open-source
software ELGG, which is a social software offering a high degree of choice,
flexibility and openness and is considered as a system that places people at
the hub of the activities. Our experimental research demonstrated that exactly
this ease of use aspect is an absolute necessity for successful Web 2.0
learning applications. The tools of Web 2.0 have crossed Moore's chasm and
reached the early majority, where they are evolving rapidly. However, the idea
of social software itself, especially in learning scenarios, is not as far
developed as we may imagine. It is necessary to take into account the fact that
too few innovators and early adopters are actually using Web 2.0 technology to
enhance existing learning behaviors. Insufficient educational concepts with Web
2.0 technologies require much future work. Keywords: Technology Enhanced Learning; Web 2.0; e-Learning | |||
| Computer Interface for Learning and Using Virtual Instrument | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 569-577 | |
| Yongkai Fan; Tianze Sun; Jun Lin; Xiaolong Fu; Yangyi Sui | |||
| Computer interfaces representation, design and implementation as the
computer software outward window had a large impact on software learning and
using, especially for virtual instrument. Several types of virtual instrument
developing software are available for the virtual instrument development and
parts of them have great influence in the instrument science field. However,
only a limited number of inexperienced or previous untrained people are able to
well utilize them. Part of the limitation stems from the difficulty in learning
how to use them and part of from the demand of software developing expertise
background or hardware design abilities. Therefore, user friendliness of
virtual instrument software is needed for a great number of people who are
without expertise background or hardware design abilities. There are a number
of features in the software described in this article would server to meet the
need, such as requirement-driven idea from human-computer interface
implementation aspect helped step obstacles encountered by users with limited
experience. An experimental interface design has been developed to use an
advanced object-oriented development environment, thus allowing a great deal of
flexibility in implementing changes and adding new features in order to provide
a friendliness operation interface to actual users. Keywords: Human-computer interface; Virtual instrument; Module instrument | |||
| Agents in m-Learning Systems Based on Intelligent Tutoring | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 578-587 | |
| Vlado Glavinic; Marko Rosic; Marija Zelic | |||
| Intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) represent a particular kind of
e-learning systems, which base their operation on the simulation of a human
teacher in the learning and teaching process. With the advent of the mobile
computing paradigm, m-learning systems, as the "portable and personal" fashion
of e-learning, paved the way to the introduction of mobile intelligent
tutoring. Mobile intelligent tutoring systems (MITSs) are targeted to fit into
a mobile learner's daily routine without disrupting her/his other activities,
but conversely enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of learning in the
context of handheld terminals of restricted capabilities. As in the
non-portable ITS counterparts, MITSs' tasks are taken over by agents, making
them agent-based systems. In this paper we discuss the mobile intelligent
tutoring paradigm, as well as the agent types to be used in the m-learning
environment along with the presently affordable agent infrastructure enabling
MITS implementation, and corroborate this with the description of a mobile
intelligent tutoring model we are developing. Keywords: agents; intelligent tutoring systems; m-learning; agent-based systems;
mobile intelligent tutoring systems | |||
| Digital Game-Based Learning: An Agent Approach | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 588-597 | |
| Christian Anthony L. Go; Won-Hyung Lee | |||
| Digital game-based learning has proven to be a useful and cost-effective
alternative to the traditional classroom-based experience. However, current
digital learning methods for young learners fail to engage audiences accustomed
to interactive media. Moreover, most edutainment games do not offer players a
situated learning experience, and those few that do, do not leverage the
immensely popular online game market. This paper introduces a Belief Desire
Intention (BDI) agent architecture for an online game Non-Player Character that
encourages and stimulates situational learning in an online Role-Playing Game. Keywords: Digital Game-Based Learning; Intelligent Agent; BDI Agent | |||
| A Haptic Based Interface to Ease Visually Impaired Pupils' Inclusion in Geometry Lessons | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 598-606 | |
| Cédric Gouy-Pailler; Sophie Zijp-Rouzier; Sylvie Vidal; Denis Chêne | |||
| This paper describes a system based on haptics and sound, to assist in
teaching plane geometry to visually impaired pupils. So far the exploration of
the geometric figure was performed with an haptic device and construction
commands launched with a keyboard. This way of interaction (switching from a
device to another) proved to be quite inefficient. This work aims at using
exclusively an haptic device to both perceive and build a figure. To do so,
command gestures are introduced to construct a figure. Then two questions
arise: are command gestures haptically learnable (pupil's hand being haptically
guided along the gesture)? Are command gestures usable to solve a task (here a
geometry exercise)? Two experiments have been carried out to answer these
questions. Keywords: haptic; learning; gesture; blind; multimodal; geometry; design for all;
inclusion; co-design | |||
| Unified Design of Universally Accessible Games | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 607-616 | |
| Dimitris Grammenos; Anthony Savidis; Constantine Stephanidis | |||
| This paper describes how the Unified Design method, originally conceived as
a means for developing universally accessible user interfaces, can be adapted
and applied to the development of universally accessible games. The basic steps
for applying the method are presented and explained through illustrative
examples. Furthermore, the key differentiations between designing turn-based
strategy games and action games are highlighted and the related impact to the
application of the design method is explained. Keywords: Universally Accessible Games; interaction design methods; Design for All;
polymorphism | |||
| Universal Design Within the Context of e-Learning | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 617-626 | |
| Andrina Granic; Maja Cukusic | |||
| When designing an e-learning system it is important to consider not only
technical and resource related aspects, but user characteristics along with
pedagogical and contextual issues as well. This paper proposes an approach to
universal design within the e-learning environment able to address issues
related to learner-centred design paradigm, context of use approach,
individualized approach, pedagogical framework and guideline framework. A
refinement from methodological point of view enhanced with the exemplification
of approach's appliance is required. Keywords: universal design; e-learning; context of use; learner-centred design;
pedagogical framework | |||
| Designing Intelligent Interfaces for e-Learning Systems: The Role of User Individual Characteristics | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 627-636 | |
| Andrina Granic; Jelena Nakic | |||
| In order to advance personal learning experience it is crucial to overcome
the one-size-fits-all approach in user interface design and increase the
e-learning systems intelligent behavior. Recent research has confirmed that
user individual characteristics must be taken into account to accomplish that
goal. This paper identifies user features relevant for system's adaptation in
general. Aiming to investigate affect of those features on users' learning
outcomes in e-learning environment in particular, an empirical study along with
obtained results is reported as well. Keywords: intelligent user interfaces; adaptive user interface; e-learning; individual
differences | |||
| Providing Universal Accessibility Using Connecting Ontologies: A Holistic Approach | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 637-646 | |
| Shuaib Karim; Khalid Latif; A. Min Tjoa | |||
| Accessibility implementation efforts are generally focused towards some
typical user impairments and a few interaction devices for a particular user
scenario. Whereas there are numerous factors in the prevalent context which can
leverage the overall accessibility to its full potential, only if those are
orchestrated together. In absence of a common and unifying approach the
industry has little choice in abstaining from legacy and is therefore not very
successful in producing universally accessible software. Exploiting enabling
technology of Semantic Web, we present an approach by developing Connecting
Ontologies for these different factors. Exemplars are developed to show its
correctness and practicability. Keywords: Universal Accessibility; Diversity; Connecting Ontologies; Mapping
Ontologies; Ontology Design Patterns | |||
| Immersive Digital Games: The Interfaces for Next-Generation E-Learning? | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 647-656 | |
| Michael D. Kickmeier-Rust; Neil Peirce; Owen Conlan; Daniel Schwarz; Dominique Verpoorten; Dietrich Albert | |||
| The intrinsic motivation to play, and therefore to learn, that might be
provided by digital educational games teases researchers and developers.
However, existing educational games often fail in their attempt to compete with
commercial games and to provide successful learning. Often some learning is
added to digital games or some gameplay is added to educational applications.
Successful educational games, however, require merging professional game design
with sound pedagogical strategies, creating a new hybrid format. Moreover, a
methodology is required that allows continuously balancing gaming and learning
challenges and the learner's abilities and knowledge in order to retain an
immersive gaming experience. In this article we introduce approaches to game
design and didactic design, as well as a framework for adaptive interventions
in educational games. Keywords: Digital educational games; Game design; Didactic design; Adaptive
intervention; Microadaptivity; Competence-based Knowledge Space Theory | |||
| Methodology and Application in a Technologically Enhanced Environment: The Case of the Writing Center at the Hellenic American Union and the Hellenic American University | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 657-666 | |
| Vassiliki Kourbani; Yiannis Petropoulos; Dimitris Tolias | |||
| The newly established Writing Center at the Hellenic American Union and the
Hellenic American University is a breakthrough in what conventional Writing
Centers entail in terms of both target audience and nature. It aims to address
the needs of both the Hellenic American Union and the Hellenic American
University students along with the general public for the improvement of
academic, professional and writing The traditional role of Writing Centers --
both in the USA and in Europe -- is to offer academic writing assistance to
students and help them develop their writing skills, for specific purposes or
across the curriculum. The Writing Center at the Hellenic American University
shares the same fundamental aims but extends its mission to a wider scope of
applications and audiences, addressing the needs not only of the Hellenic
American University students but also of the general public. Its services go
beyond the traditional face-to-face, "paper-pencil" approach since assistance
is provided through innovative design, e-equipment, and original software that
encourage collaboration and individualized monitoring, both on site and on
line. Thus, the Writing Center at the Hellenic American University aspires to
become a showcase of how collaborative writing -- defined in a variety of ways
-- is realized in terms of the cooperation among the particular Writing Center
stakeholders and the learning outcomes involved. Keywords: Writing Center; Distance Tutoring; Tutoring; Classroom Learning | |||
| The Role of Web-Based Learning Environments in Fostering Collaboration | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 667-676 | |
| Jasna Kuljis; Lorna Lines | |||
| Web-based learning environments are increasingly used to support lecture and
seminar activities in blended learning courses and there is growing evidence to
suggest a positive relationship between peer-to-peer learning activities and
academic attainment. The role of web-based learning environments that are used
as a learning-support tool is considered where the blended learning system
goals of social interaction and personal agency within the context of web-based
discussion boards are of particular interest. Using web-based learning
community discussions as a case study we illustrate the role of personal agency
and social interaction and how personalisation of the learning experience may
be supported by the teachers. Our results are intended to inform teachers and
the design of automated instructional agents, that will need to support
personal agency and social interaction, to facilitate online student
collaboration within the blended learning system context. Keywords: Blended learning; collaborative learning; online discussion; discussion
group development | |||
| The Virtual Paddle: An Universal Interaction for Accessible Video Games | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 677-686 | |
| Guillaume Lepicard; Frédéric Vella; Nadine Vigouroux; Benoît Rigolleau; David Chautard; Elian Pucheu | |||
| The video games are often inaccessible to disabled motor people of the upper
limbs. The specialized games are limited choice of the set of accessible games.
We present a new accessible technique of interaction: the Virtual Paddle. We
designed it with a user-centered method. It is composed of three steps:
questionnaire, brainstorming and paper prototypes. Next, we present the
experiment to choose the optimized paddle. Finally we discuss the results and
our perspective. Keywords: Accessibility; software/virtual interaction techniques; video games;
User-centered design; disabled motor people | |||
| Learning by e-Learning: Breaking Down Barriers and Creating Opportunities for the Visually-Impaired | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 687-696 | |
| Barbara Leporini; Marina Buzzi | |||
| Today e-Learning is an important educational tool with multiple benefits.
However, to be suitable for a large audience the learning objects, courses, and
other forms of e-Learning content should be easy to use for all students,
regardless of disability. This paper describes problems often encountered by a
blind person using screen reader and voice synthesizer when using e-Learning
systems, and proposes guidelines for designers in order to develop more
accessible systems. Keywords: Accessibility; usability; e-Learning; blind | |||
| Designing Games to Address 'Mute English' Among Children in China | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 697-706 | |
| Jason Li; Neema Moraveji; Jiarong Ding; Patrick O'Kelley; Suze Woolf | |||
| This paper describes findings and design implications from user research
intended to support software to address the Mute English phenomenon. This term
refers to the many students in China whose English speaking ability lags far
behind that of their reading and listening. Software designs for games are
presented as a scalable solution to the problem. Games are a unique way to
elicit speech input from children in a personalized educational setting. Keywords: Design; ethnography; speech recognition; game design; China; Mute English;
language acquisition | |||
| Identification of Threat of Isolation as a Result of Work with a Computer in Free Time | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 707-715 | |
| Teresa Musiol; Katarzyna Ujma-Wasowicz | |||
| The report aims to answer a question how we can reduce a threat of isolation
created by using a computer in free time. In the first part of the report the
reasons of creating a state of isolation during work with a computer in free
time were presented. Then potential results of this threat in the area of
optimalisation of decisions made by participants were discussed. In the
application part of the report results of research concerning a state of
awareness of isolation as a threat were presented. The research was carried out
on a group of students, chosen at random. A sociometric tool in a form of a
questionnaire was applied in the research. The construction of the
questionnaire was based on weights of attribution of emotional state, which
isolation is. In the summary the authors presented the ways and methods of
reducing results of the threat, which is isolation in the process of working
with a computer. Keywords: isolation; computer; sociometric measure; reduction of threats; active
recreation | |||
| Reaching Beyond the Invisible Barriers: Serving a Community of Users with Multiple Needs | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 716-727 | |
| Dianna L. Newman; Gary Clure | |||
| This paper discusses a four-phase model for evaluating multi-media learning
materials that emphasizes the diversity of learners and variations in
instructional needs and user characteristics. The authors begin with an
overview of the model, supporting evidence for its use, and key characteristics
of users supported by each of the phases. They then focus on results of a
current use that emphasized stage four, real-time usability, and show how they
were able to document that the models under review met the needs of diverse
learners and varied instructional strategies. Keywords: Human-computer interactions; user characteristics; effect of use;
collaborative learning | |||
| Some Aspects of the Development of Low-Cost Augmented Reality Learning Environments as Examples for Future Interfaces in Technology Enhanced Learning | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 728-737 | |
| Alexander K. Nischelwitzer; Franz-Josef Lenz; Gig Searle; Andreas Holzinger | |||
| Augmented Reality (AR) applications are becoming increasingly available for
everyday applications. In this paper, we concentrate on how to design and
develop applications for educational purposes with the use of the ARToolkit and
present an example from the area of human medicine. Since good Usability is
essential, especially for non-expert end users, including both children and the
elderly, we put particular emphasis on how to ensure good Usability. For both
groups of end users, this technology has high potential and can be of great
benefit. Within a small scale usability study amongst children, we could gain
first experiences in their interaction with such applications. An essential
factor is the notion of play, which could be beneficial to transport difficult
learning material. On the basis of the gained insight, we provide an outlook
for further work and we conclude that elderly could also benefit from this
technology. Keywords: Future Interfaces; e-Learning; Augmented Reality; Virtual Reality | |||
| Students' Attitudes Towards Novel Interfaces in E-Learning | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 738-747 | |
| Margit Pohl; Ilona Herbst; Franz Reichl; Sylvia Wiltner | |||
| There is still very little research about students' attitudes about
e-learning. Such information seems to be necessary for a successful
implementation of e-learning. Current research indicates that main advantages
of e-learning are its flexibility and the provision of online learning
material. A major drawback, as perceived by the students, is the lack of
personal relationships. We conducted two focus groups to clarify these issues
(N=54). The study supported the results from the literature. In addition, we
found a few controversial issues as, e.g., preference for lectures/textbooks
and tight schedules vs. preference for online learning and few deadlines.
Another controversial issue was electronic assessment. Keywords: students' attitudes; learner-centered design; academic teaching; university
didactics | |||
| The Impact of m-Learning in School Contexts: An "Inclusive" Perspective | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 748-755 | |
| Francesca Pozzi | |||
| M-learning takes advantage of the use of mobile technologies (i.e. mobile
phones, personal digital assistants, handheld computers) and allows students to
carry out activities in a variety of settings and according to different paces.
The paper discusses the main changes and challenges brought about by the use of
m-technologies in school contexts with a special attention on one hand to the
limitations posed, and on the other to the possibilities for enhancing
students' inclusion. Keywords: mobile; learning; impact; school; inclusion; technologies | |||
| Instructional Technology and Faculty Development: How iWRITE Challenges Course Design and Teaching Methods | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 756-765 | |
| Margaret Procter | |||
| Use of the web-enabled software iWRITE in courses across the disciplines at
several Canadian universities demonstrates that implementing instructional
technology can lead faculty members to reconsider and reformulate their
teaching methods. iWRITE operates in course-specific sites. It supports the
integration of writing into disciplinary courses by displaying examples of past
student work alongside grading criteria and instructor comments. Instructors
unfamiliar with learning theory that validates the use of models may initially
fear student copying or distrust the adequacy of student samples as guides, but
many have rethought their assignments and strengthened other methods of
instruction to take advantage of this method. In co-taught courses, selecting
benchmark papers and formulating grading criteria requires examination of
disciplinary values and frank discussion of standards. The effort of writing
clear comments on the student samples also requires explicit formulation of
disciplinary assumptions about the nature of knowledge and the relationship
between writing and thinking. Keywords: instructional technology; writing in the disciplines; faculty development | |||
| Technology-Mediated Provision of Models: Observational Learning for First Year Students | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 766-775 | |
| J. Barbara Rose | |||
| First year students coming into university are often puzzled by the
expectations of university discourse. For students in the Academic Bridging
Program (ABP) directed at mature and under-prepared students this is especially
manifest; these same questions are often expressed by students in traditional
first year university classes. This challenge has been assisted by the use of a
web-enabled software program, iWRITE which displays examples of past student
work of essay assignments along with detailed comments by course instructors.
The subsequent success of students in acquiring not only structures and
vocabulary to help them navigate this new world of academic discourse but also
a heightened sense of self-efficacy supports the concept of observational
learning by the technology-mediated provision of models. Keywords: instructional technology; observational learning; self-efficacy | |||
| English for Academic Purposes in Israel: Perceptions of E-Learning from the Perspectives of Learners and Teachers | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 776-785 | |
| Bella Rubin; Helen Sarid | |||
| This exploratory study investigates, from the perspectives of learners and
teachers, how e-learning is implemented in the domain of English for Academic
Purposes (EAP), particularly in the teaching of reading and writing skills in
universities and colleges in Israel. The study adapts Ben Shneiderman's [1]
view that learner-centered measures should be used to evaluate educational
progress. The study was conducted in a natural setting, using a grounded
approach and qualitative interpretation of data. Teachers who used e-learning
responded to open-ended questions about their practices. Their students
responded to open-ended questions which explored their perceptions of learning
outcomes in academic language courses. To elicit in-depth reflection, volunteer
students and teachers were interviewed. The findings may lay the groundwork for
future studies exploring how e-learning affects students' learning strategies,
teacher/student relationships, the very nature of the classroom, to name but a
few theoretical and pedagogical issues encountered. Keywords: EAP; perceived learning outcomes; e-learning; blended learning | |||
| AudioStoryTeller: Enforcing Blind Children Reading Skills | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 786-795 | |
| Jaime Sánchez; Iván Galáz | |||
| Children tend to learn language conventions through processing environment
stimuli. Thus, strategies for reading comprehension are commonly used for this
purpose. This paper introduces AudioStoryTeller, a tool for pocketPC to support
the development of reading and writing skills in learners with visual
disabilities (LWVD) through storytelling, providing diverse evaluation tools to
measure those skills. We implemented usability and cognitive evaluation to the
AudioStoryTeller software. In the usability evaluation, the easiness of use of
the proposed hardware by LWVD was established. The goal of the cognitive
evaluation was to measure the development of reading skills through interactive
audio narrations using a pocketPC device. Results indicate that users were able
to utilize effortless the pocketPC device. AudioStoryTeller software together
with cognitive tasks, can contribute to the development of cognitive skills in
LWVD. This application allows LVD to have access to unlimited scope of books
not available in printed Braille. Keywords: Learners with visual disabilities; blind children; reading skills; PDA;
pocketPC; Text-To-Speech; Audio | |||
| Basic Skills Training to Disabled and Adult Learners Through an Accessible e-Learning Platform | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 796-805 | |
| Olga C. Santos; Jesus Boticario; Alicia Fernández del Viso; Santiago Pérez de la Cámara; Carlos Rebate Sánchez; Emmanuelle Gutiérrez y Restrepo | |||
| In the paper we present the first evaluation results obtained in the
framework of ALPE (Accessible Learning Platform for Europe -- EC-029328) a
market validation project partially funded by the European Commission through
the European Community Programme "eTEN". During the first three months of the
project, ALPE service is being customised to the needs of end-users in Spain,
the U.K. and Greece. In addition, a small scale test of the service has already
been performed by a group of visually and hearing impaired and adult learners
coordinated by SIDAR Foundation. In this paper we describe i) ALPE service,
including the platform and the courses offered, ii) the validation process and
iii) the results from the initial end-user evaluation. Keywords: Disabled students; Accessibility and evaluation; Basic skills market
validation; educational standards; Learning platforms; Open courses | |||
| Interface of Online Mini-Go-Game with Pen Input Guide for the Blind | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 806-812 | |
| Michio Shimizu; Masahiko Sugimoto; Kazunori Itoh | |||
| In this paper, an interface of a Mini-Go-game (Go game with a 9x9 board) on
a network for the blind is studied. If the Mini-Go-game on the Internet for the
blind can be realized as a web application using PC or a cellular phone, it is
easy to obtain an opponent without going out. Therefore, we introduce a pen
input guide which correspond to a 9x9 board, and propose a co-operative system
of a Mini-Go-game with sound feedback. Keywords: Mini-Go-game; visually impaired; pen input guide; sound feedback;
co-operative system; virtual sound screen | |||
| Enhancing Universal Access -- EEG Based Learnability Assessment | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 813-822 | |
| Christian Stickel; Josef Fink; Andreas Holzinger | |||
| This paper presents initial research on a new learnability assessment
methodology. We propose the use of electroencephalography (EEG) to further
improve usability testing. We discovered whether and to what extend there is a
correlation between brainwave patterns and the learnability of the software
used. Our central hypothesis is that learnability can be assessed by analyzing
the rise and fall of specific frequency bands in electroencephalographic
recordings. In order to collect empirical evidence for our hypothesis, we
conducted an experiment with N=32 participants. We developed a test environment
comprising a low-cost EEG system and developed software for analysis and
testing. Based on our findings, we consider our EEG-based learnability test
applicable, either as a pre-test -- in order to determine whether further
testing is necessary -- or as an augmenting method during standard usability
testing. The users' emotions, registered on the EEG, can be applied as a
baseline for detecting possible usability difficulties and employed in the
development of a biological rapid-usability method for accessibility
assessment. Keywords: Learnability; Biological usability testing; EEG; evaluation method | |||
| Learning Through Exploration, Autonomy, Collaboration, and Simulation: The 'all-in-one' Virtual School of the Hellas Alive!© Online, Language-Learning Platform | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 823-832 | |
| Dimitris Tolias; George Exadaktylos | |||
| The Hellenic American Union (HAU), in Greece, in collaboration with the
Academy of Electronic Media at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in the
USA, has developed Hellas Alive!©, an online language and culture learning
platform for teaching Greek as a Foreign Language with emphasis on
interactivity for language learning, cultural awareness, and communication. The
platform comprises the Virtual School component, the Virtual City component and
the cultural Playspaces component. Language learning takes place in the Virtual
School which supports autonomous exploration, simulation, representation and
collaboration, with rich multimedia content and synchronous and asynchronous
learning tools. Its interface includes an expandable playlist that provides
users with all the tools necessary for effective language learning. Such tools
include unlimited options to read text, to listen to audio, to watch video or
to see images, to record, to submit audio and text, to perform 23 different
types of exercises with instant automated error feedback, to chat with other
users, and to share material with other users. The platform also includes a
variety of interfaces with additional information on language and vocabulary.
Users can activate them every time they encounter the corresponding grammatical
item or word. Keywords: Modern Greek; language learning; exploration; autonomy; collaboration;
simulation; online | |||
| Co-learn: Collaborative Learning Engine a Vision for Pervasive Collaboration in E-Learning | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 833-842 | |
| Vaibhav Tyagi; Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed | |||
| The quest for knowledge has been an intricate part of the human psyche and,
more often than not, we learn by sharing our experiences and combining our
efforts. Collaboration is an important part of the learning experience, and
when combined with the technological boom of present times, can be a platform
for the future of continuous education. In this paper, we present our vision of
a collaborative learning engine, which allows the users to collaborate in real
time using their mobile devices, such as smart phones and/or PDAs. Our proposed
collaborative learning engine will allow handheld devices to communicate among
each other and share text, files, audio and video from different sources. In
our initial design and development, we have addressed up to eight devices for
streaming video and audio content, however other channels of collaboration can
be extended for more users. Keywords: Co-Learn; Collaborated; Collaborative; Pervasive; Learning; Life Long
Learning; Mobile Collaboration | |||
| Effects of Group Composition in Collaborative Learning of EFL Writing | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 843-849 | |
| Siew-Rong Wu | |||
| This study was conducted to compare two types of group composition and their
effects on collaborative learning of EFL writing in PBL lessons. Participants
in the experiments were 60 students taking the researcher's basic writing
classes in the fall semester, from September 2003 to January 2004. Outcomes of
bimonthly automatic online writing assessments using My Access showed that
group composition did affect writing learning outcomes. Small groups of
learners with even distribution of levels of writing proficiency did outperform
the groups with randomly mixed learners of varied levels of English writing
proficiency. This finding indicated that when less capable learners
collaborated with more capable learners in small group learning activities, the
learning outcomes could be greatly enhanced. This implies that when taking the
PBL approach in learning to write, groups composed of learners with evenly
distributed levels of writing proficiency may achieve much better learning
outcomes than randomly formed groups. Keywords: group composition; automatic online writing assessment; Zone of Proximal
Development; collaborative learning; PBL; ill-structured problems; knowledge
facilitator | |||
| E- Health System for Coagulation Function Management by Elderly People | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 853-859 | |
| Noemi Biterman; Eyal Lerner; Haim Bitterman | |||
| E- Health is a developing area of major social, medical and economic
importance especially for the elderly population and citizens of remote areas.
Our objectives were to identify visualization methods for a patient-oriented
system of collection, storage, and retrieval of coagulation function data, The
research group included 25 elderly (72.2±5.5 years) and 25 young
participants (30.4±4.9 years). The participants completed tasks based on
different visualization models for data entry and follow-up of clinical
information, in three experimental websites equipped with hidden tracking
programs. We followed functional parameters (time, acuity), subjective
parameters (preference, satisfaction) and physiological parameters (pulse, skin
temperature, sweating, respiratory rate, and muscle tension). Time for task
completion was significantly longer in elderly compared to younger participants
in all experimental websites, without significant differences in accuracy. Yet,
in specific tasks the elderly performed better than young participants.
Specific suggestions for data entry and data visualization are presented. Keywords: E-care; interactive healthcare services; data visualization;
patient-oriented systems; telemedicine; design methods | |||
| Feed the Dragon Wisely: Designing for Childhood Awareness as a Means of Lifelong Obesity Prevention | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 860-868 | |
| Shunying Blevis; Jeffrey Bardzell; Nancy Wroblewski | |||
| Obesity is becoming a global epidemic. Obesity education, especially
childhood obesity education, has become an issue for the public health
community agenda in a lot of countries. In this paper we will report on an
interactive educational toy we designed and prototyped for obesity education.
We propose design refinements and marketing strategies to make the toy
available to educate children more widely and effectively. Keywords: Obesity education; Childhood obesity; Interactive educational toy; Tangible
interface | |||
| 2D Numeric-Based Voice-Driven Browser for the Visual Impairments | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 869-873 | |
| Chi Nung Chu; Yu Ting Huang; Yao-Ming Yeh | |||
| As the aging populations are increasing, there is a need to support
non-visual interaction for them in surfing the World Wide Web. This paper
discusses the efficacy for the design of Voice-Driven Browser, a
voice-controlled, HTML document reader/browser for the WWW. Voice-Driven
Browser comprises three significant components: voice recognition, voice
generation and hypertext navigation. The purpose of the integrated voice-driven
browser with 2D screen reader design is to provide aging people with
convenience and efficiency that will bring the WWW to those with impaired
vision problems. Keywords: 2D Numeric-Based Voice-Driven Browser; Visual Impairments | |||
| Case Study of Applying Wireless Technologies into Healthcare Industry in China and UK | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 874-882 | |
| Guixia Kang; Li Zhang; Shanghong Li; Ping Zhang; Said Boussakta | |||
| In recent years, there have been growing interest and activities of
introducing wireless technologies into healthcare industry. Successful
development and deployment of wireless e-Health (WEHealth) systems is
geographically dependent in respect of national regulations, regional economic
development, and available medial infrastructures and resources, etc. In this
paper, the applications of wireless technologies into healthcare industry are
investigated in China and UK respectively. Based on the case study of wireless
healthcare in China and UK, this paper will analyze the impact of above
mentioned factors on the integration of wireless technologies and healthcare
applications, and propose possible solutions based on the analysis. Keywords: e-Health; wireless; healthcare; homecare | |||
| Attitude Toward Wireless Applications in Healthcare Industry in China | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 883-892 | |
| Guixia Kang; Yue Ouyang; Da Liu; Huaqing Wang; Ping Zhang | |||
| A validated questionnaire evaluating the attitude of Chinese people toward
wireless applications in healthcare industry was administered to around 1,000
people from Oct. 2006 to Jan. 2007. Investigated subjects include people with
different occupations and in different age levels. Investigated content covers
preferred service types of wireless applications in healthcare, people's
concerns towards the wireless services, etc. Investigated methods include
interviewing and dispatching questionnaires. The objective of the survey is to
assess people's acceptability and requirement toward wireless applications in
healthcare industry, called Wireless e-Health or "WEHealth" for short. Result
reveals that people's attitude toward WEHealth in China is positive basically;
An overall analysis of questionnaires reveals some interesting results and some
problems we should be pay more attention to in the future industrialization
process of WEHealth systems and services. Keywords: Questionnaire; wireless; healthcare | |||
| Users and Trust: The New Threats, the New Possibilities | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 893-902 | |
| Kristiina Karvonen | |||
| In this paper, we describe the current threats and possibilities in the
online environment from a user's perspective on basis of literary analysis and
a set of user studies concentrating on online trust formation and expression.
The work includes a review on the current level of understanding about online
trust, what kind of research has been done and what the basic ingredients of
trust might be in the future. By comparing the new results with results gained
in 1999, we can see how the situation has been changing. The analysis is based
on research conducted on trust between 1999 and 2007, utilising user studies,
ethnography, cultural studies, aesthetics, and basic usability engineering as
methods. We also include some discussion on the appropriateness of various
methods available for studying online trust, and propose directions for new
trust research as a field inside human-computer interaction. Keywords: Security; human factors; trust; qualitative; user study; cross-cultural;
identity; risk; perception | |||
| Ontology-Based User Preference Modeling for Enhancing Interoperability in Personalized Services | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 903-912 | |
| Ju-Yeon Kim; Jong Woo Kim; Chang Soo Kim | |||
| Personalized services that provide users with adaptive information filtered
from heterogeneous and numerous information makes human-computer interaction
efficient. Although personalized services have been researched in the various,
heterogeneous information and users have raised the problem of defining a
generic user model that would be used as a basis for recommending personalized
information. Moreover, it is difficult to share the users' information. In this
paper, we propose ontology-based user preference model as one of the solution
to resolve the problems. In our model, user preference is described in User
Preference Description Language (UPDL) with various domain ontologies. UPDL is
a simple and OWL-based description language that allows users to describe their
preference over domain ontologies. It provides not only rich expressiveness,
reusability and flexibility but also the novel personalized services that can
access and utilize not only user preferences in the own service but also in
other services. Keywords: Personalized Services; Interoperability; Ontology; User Preference Modeling;
Domain Ontologies | |||
| A Non-visual Approach to Improving Collaboration Between Blind and Sighted Internet Users | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 913-922 | |
| Ravi Kuber; Wai Yu; Graham McAllister | |||
| Assistive technologies have widened access to the Web, by providing a
non-visual representation of page content for blind individuals. However,
restrictions imposed by screen readers and Braille output devices have led to
the development of mental representations of a web page, which differ
considerably from the visual layout. As a result, both blind and sighted users
find it difficult to perform joint web-based tasks. In this paper, we have
applied a structured participatory-based approach to develop haptic sensations
to assist the collaborative process. Preliminary results are reported and
on-going development is discussed. It is anticipated that findings from the
study will inform a haptic framework, which will assist developers when
designing an accessible collaborative interface, using the benefits which the
sense of touch can offer. Keywords: Blind; collaboration; haptic; Web accessibility | |||
| Idea Movement of Aging Citizens: Lessons-Learnt from Innovation Workshops | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 923-931 | |
| Jaana Leikas | |||
| The demographic revolution, rapid aging in Europe has raised the creation of
innovation market as one of the most important elements in the European
strategy. During 2006 VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland carried out a
campaign called the Idea Movement of Aging Citizens, where mobile service ideas
were collected from aging citizens for open use. The ground for the campaign
was the fact that the aging persons are the best experts of their own needs and
should thus have more say in the development of new mobile services. Around
4300 ideas were collected in 13 innovation workshops in Finland. About 750
aging citizens participated in these workshops. This paper presents experiences
and lessons-learnt of using innovation workshops as a method for activating
aging people to work as idea generators for mobile services. Keywords: User-driven innovation; aging citizens; mobile technology | |||
| Accessing e-Government Services: Design Requirements for the Older User | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 932-940 | |
| Lorna Lines; Oluchi Ikechi; Kate S. Hone | |||
| Access to e-Government services, such as welfare, housing and financial
assistance is typically achieved through accessing, completing and submitting
paper-based forms. Current UK e-Government strategies indicate that such
service access forms will be made available online. With the aging population
considered as a primary user of these services this paper promotes the need to
establish older adults' online form design requirements. Building on previous
research [see 8], the current investigation validates and extends previous
online form design requirements for an aging user group. The paper opens with
an overview of current UK e-Government initiatives and promotes the
investigation of older adults' online form design requirements, not only to
assist this vulnerable user group with independent living but also to support
social inclusion. Keywords: Older adults; online forms; e-Government | |||
| An Accessible Platform for Conference Administration and Management | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 941-950 | |
| George Margetis; Stavroula Ntoa; Maria Bouhli; Constantine Stephanidis | |||
| Nowadays online conference management systems are an essential tool for the
organization of a conference. However, most such systems do not provide support
for accessibility by disabled users. This paper discusses the design and
development of a platform supporting the development of accessible conference
management systems, focusing on accessibility integration through the use of an
iterative approach. Accessibility issues as they ere raised during the
evaluation procedure are also discussed. Keywords: Accessibility; model-based web application development; conference
management | |||
| Service Science: Applications of Observation to Real World Business | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 951-960 | |
| Haruhito Matsunami | |||
| Original methodology of service science, that combines three methods
(obtaining service data using ergonomics methods, analyzing service data using
statistical methods, improving service using information technology) was
constructed. Service science approach was implemented for interactions with
customers such as daily life observation, shopping behavior observation, and
talk analysis, and for employee's nonroutine tasks, such as gas pipe
construction work observation. The service science methodology improves
customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction by improving productivity and
safety of the work. Keywords: service science; observation; customer satisfaction; human behavior | |||
| VoiceBlog for Blind and Weak-Eyed People | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 961-969 | |
| Yoshie Soutome Sagata; Masahiro Watanabe; Yoko Asano | |||
| We introduce VoiceBlog, a blog reading browser based on the concept of
universal design. Existing screen reading software used by blind people for PC
access fails to support rapid understanding of the original blog structure and
contents. VoiceBlog has a cascading user interface, hierarchically structured,
and can well parse strictly-structured Web content such as blogs. It uses an
audio user interface rule, which simplifies the comprehension of contents and
menus (arrangement of contents based on construction, simplification, and
navigation) to allow blind and weak-eyed people to comfortably access blogs.
Blind people can use the keyboard to access all functions. The arrangement and
design of icons, colors and correspondence to hi-contrast functions can be
customized for the weak-eyed and color blind. Four blind and four weak-eyed
people participated in trials of VoiceBlog. The results showed that it allows
the blind to access blog contents easily because keyboard manipulations are
similar to usual reading browsers and screen readers. The shapes and color of
the icons are easy to recognize for weak-eyed people. Keywords: Universal design; blind people; blog reading browser; blog; hierarchic
structure; cascading user interface | |||
| Inflection of In-Situ Ergonomics in Service Engineering | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 970-978 | |
| Atsushi Shinya | |||
| "In-Situ Ergonomics" which extended the direct observation method was
discussed. It is the method of using a sensor for data collection. By observing
all the situations in which a user works for a long period of time, this method
can be used in order to improve service. As an example, the use situation of
the electric pot with a communication function was analyzed. Various users' use
situation over one electric pot was clarified. And the improvement proposal of
service was shown. Keywords: In-Situ Ergonomics; direct observation method; sensors; datamining | |||
| Distributive Medical Management System | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 979-989 | |
| Barbara Sorensen; Judith Riess; Eric Allely | |||
| Medical readiness has become a critical concern world wide. Threats across
diverse operation environments, coupled with critical voids in both medical
management and medical skills has made the development of new training and
management tools and operational assessment methods for first-responders a high
priority across global communities. That first response role incorporates a
broad array of individuals providing field-based emergency medical services. As
recently observed during and after the Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina
disaster in the United States, critical technological tools and training
resources were not available to ensure that the involved first responders had
pertinent information available to them to properly do their jobs. The
deficiencies must be rectified in order to insure rapid response to natural and
man made disasters. Tools that distribute knowledge to aid a range of first
responders in evaluating a medical situation, guide them in the uniform
collection and reporting of critical information and provide telemedicine
clinical reach back to medical experts are essential components of today's
medical preparedness. The Distributive Medical Curricula Architecture (DMCA) is
designed to provide access to "just-in-time" training and streamline assessment
and management of remote medical situations across military and civilian
environments nationally and internationally. Keywords: First responder; medical skills training; training management; remote
treatment | |||
| Basic Consideration for Various Interfaces from Viewpoint of Service | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 990-996 | |
| A. Toshiki Yamaoka; Mayuko Yoshida | |||
| Service business was classified into three categories. A design framework of
user interface, especially screen design for the three categories of service
was constructed roughly from viewpoint of theory of regulatory focus,
transactional analysis (TA) and psychological impression. According to the
three categories, three examples of screen design were designed roughly. Keywords: Service; screen design; user interface; theory of regulatory focus;
transactional analysis (TA); psychological impression | |||
| Specialized Design of Web Search Engine for the Blind People | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 997-1005 | |
| Yi-Fan Yang; Sheue-Ling Hwang | |||
| In this research, Google Website was taken as a Web prototype to get
modified. Specialized Search Engine for the Blind (SSEB) was constructed with
an accessible interface and some improved functions (i.e., searching assistance
functions, user-centered functions, and specialized design for the blind). An
experiment was conducted to verify the effect of SSEB. From experimental
results, it's significant that users attained better performance in SSEB than
in Google. Users also showed higher satisfaction with SSEB. This research
proves that the consideration for designing an accessible website for the blind
users is very important. It is expected that the users group of SSEB can be
expanded to all visual-impaired people in the future. So that all people can
keep pace with the changing World Wide Web, and make good use of all the
Internet resources without disabilities and limitations. Keywords: Web search engine; Blind; Web searching; Web accessibility; Google | |||
| The Augmented Patient Chart: Seamless Integration of Physical and Digital Artifacts for Hospital Work | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 1006-1015 | |
| Myrna S. Zamarripa; Víctor M. González; Jesús Favela | |||
| Even with the introduction of computer technology, paper-based artifacts
remain ubiquitous in hospital settings. The need to manually transfer and
update information from the physical to the digital realm is a common practice
among hospital staff, which, although usually well managed, at times becomes a
source for errors and inconsistencies. This paper presents an augmented patient
chart system that preserves the use of paper and allows capturing information
directly to the system through the use of a digital pen. An evaluation of the
system with 22 volunteers indicates a significant reduction in the number of
errors while reading information, a significant increment on the accuracy while
annotating data, as well as a trend towards less time spent while annotating
data on the digital paper. Based on our results, we argue that the design
preserves the advantages associated with paper while increasing the
availability of information and its trustworthiness. Keywords: Ubiquitous computing; Hospital work; Physical artifacts; Digital paper | |||