Paper Reading #16: Classroom-Based Assistive Technology

Authors

Meg Cramer, Sen H. Hirano, Monica Tentori, Michael T. Yeganyan, Gillian R. Hayes

Occupation

Meg Cramer, Sen Hirano- students at UC Irvine

Monica Tentori- assistant professor at UC Irvine

Michael Yeganyan- group researcher at UC Irvine

Gillian Hayes- assistant professor at UC Irvine

Location

 CHI '11 Proceedings of the 2011 annual conference New York

Summary

Hypothesis

The authors believe that improved interactive and collaborative assistance can be used to give aid to students with Autism by using their vSked system.

Methods

The testing of the vSked system was done over a period of five weeks. The testing consisted of interviews and commenting by teachers and school workers.(the students were not interviewed due to their personal impairments) The effectiveness of the whole system was based on several points: consistency, predictability, teacher awareness, behavior. Researchers went over the data to see the different needs the students and teachers needed and looked for themes/patterns. A mixed method approach was used to analyze the data. The data analyzed included the following: images, videoes, interviews, etc.

Result
Based on the observation, the authors were able to see a increase sense of independence by the students through the usage of the device. In overall terms the amount of focus exerted by the students increased noticeably as they did not require as much teacher assistance when doing tasks. The device also help connect the students with each other as the students were interested at looking at their peer's progress as well (done through a large screen in the class). The system also allowed as improvement in consistency. This was done by using the system to set the students schedules and would allow changed made by the teacher to see seen on the same device. 

Content

The paper is on a new system called vSked. By using this the authors claim that it can help and aid autistic students to a great degree in terms of cooperative learning. Their paper talks about the ways it was implemented in a experimental study for around five week and the feedback given out by both the subjects as well as the other party members involved (ex. Teachers). The paper also talks about its future potential as well as points that could be improved in the future.

Discussion

I personally think its a good way to improve the lives of other who are more unfortunate. I also thought that it was some what innovative that existing technology could be used to such an extent as well. Although it has a more humanitarian touch to it, I am some what skeptical how effective it will be in the market due to its use not leaning towards mass production but rather a small target demographic.

Paper Reading #15: Madgets: Actuating Widgets on Interactive Tabletops

Authors: Malte Weiss, FLorian SChwarz, Simon Jakubowski, Jan Borchers

occupation- 

Malte Weiss, Jan Borchers- Media Computing Group in Aachen University

Florian Schwarz- assistant prof at UPen

Simon Jakubowski- Researcher at AlphaFix

Location- Published in UIST '10 Proceedings of the 23nd annual ACM symposium, New York

Summary

Hypothesis

The paper's hypothesis was that madgets can be used to improve interaction with interactive tabletops. This will allow improvement over the previous existing models since it can allow easier interaction with complex physical controls. Apart from that it would be easy to control, cheap, and would require no built in chips or power supply.

Method

This was implemented on 24 inch monitor(Samsung) while the actuation is modified through the usage of electromagnets(228 of them) and a Arduino board. A DSI (Diffused Surface Illumination) was used to allow touch recognition. The magnets were also kept cool during its usage by cycling the different magnets with each other during its usage. A method to control various complex controls (movement, configuration, orientation) was done through the usage of the actuation algorithm designed by authors. Visual tracking was used to allow sensing while transparent acrylic were also used for widget controls. The purpose of this combination was used to provide a sense of "easy to build" feeling for the users. 

Results
Based on the usage of their prototype platform producing a new widget took less than an hour to produce. The tracking was done by using gluing the corresponding markers to the its control and this process took about two hours to do. Its performance shows the great possibility for allow cheaper and easier implementation as well as design.

Content

The paper was a explanation on the benefits and the superior points of this new method of surface interaction. The paper going into lengths on how the whole system works (fiber optics, magnets, actuation algorithm, etc). Over all the paper stated that the usage of this technology would allow low cost widgets and would make it easier to find better feedback

Discussion

I personally had little interest in the whole article. This was mostly due to the fact that the application of such a product in the real world. Although they mentioned widgets it was also apparent on what they can actually be used for. Although the idea was new and interesting (algorithm for example) i was not very convinced that this device would make a impact in the markets

Paper Reading #14 : Tesla Touch: Electrovibration for Touch Surfaces

Authors: Oliver Bau, Ivan Poupyrev, Ali Israr, Chris Harrison

Occupation:
Oliver, Ivan, Ali- Research Scientist in Disney Research at Pittsburgh
Chris- HCI institute at Carnegie Mellon

Location:

 Published in UIST '10 Proceedings of the 23nd annual ACM symposium, New York

Summary

Hypothesis

An advantageous method of touch surface interaction can be achieved through the usage of electrovibration instead of the current style of tactile interfaces 

Method

10 participants were used in their study. This was done as each of the participants were exposed to four different Tesla touch textures. For each one the participants answered questions and talked about the experience/sensations felt. During the test 10 minutes were spent by each of the participants in detection thresholds while seven of them spent time on frequency and amplitude detection. (for about 10 minutes) The participants were also given many different types/intensities of signals and were asked to see if they were detectable based on feelings. 

Results

Based on the evaluation conducted by the participants higher frequency based signals were detected in a smoother fashion compared to the low frequencies(described as wood like coarse). It was also seen that this sensation given by the amplitude had a strong connection with the frequency. This connection was based on the fact that the smoothness would increase in both the frequency and the amplitude increased. On the other hand, low amplitude gave a coarse or even a sticky feeling. In terms of detection thresholds the researchers found that the level of frequency had a strong correlation on determinable threshold.  

Content

This paper talks about the different ways one can generate a tactile feedback for touch based devices and interfaces. This was accomplished by the authors through the usage of electrovibration. This is basically low levels of current which is used to stimulate the fingers. This was tested by using various types of frequency and amplitudes while getting information on various sensations that two combinations make when used. The researchers also looked for the minimum point of intensity for people to feel or detect the electrovibration. The paper covers the testing (mostly) and applications of this product. At the end the possible usage and applications were briefly talked about. (as a touch device)

Discussion

I personally thought this article was some what interesting. I liked the fact that the authors were very meticulous on the details and the process of their testing. I personally think the paper was well done but i am just sure if people will be willing to switch to such a different concept on tactile touch mostly because there is already a lot of vested interest by powerful companies on existing touch technology.