scholarly journals Application of Affordance Factors for User-Centered Smart Homes: A Case Study Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 3053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Younjoo Cho ◽  
Anseop Choi
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Smart Home ◽  
Smart Homes ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Active Devices ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
User Centered

Smart homes improve quality of life by providing various services based on information and communication technologies. However, smart home systems are complicated and user interfaces for the interaction between smart home and user are often not user-friendly, causing potential difficulties and inconvenience for the user. Therefore, in order for smart homes to become user-centered, usability needs to be improved. This study aims to present guidelines for improving the usability of smart homes based on the concept of affordance, which is highly meaningful in user-centered design. To do this, firstly, the affordance factors that could be applied to improve the usability of active devices and user interfaces in smart homes were extracted, secondly, a case study was conducted to analyze the application of affordance factors, focusing on active devices (e.g., control devices and smart appliances) and user interfaces that directly interact with users in smart homes. Lastly, guidelines on the application of affordance factors were presented by combining case analysis results with relevant guidelines. Active devices and user interfaces should provide users with appropriate cognitive, physical, functional, and sensory affordances so that users can use the smart home services easily and conveniently.

New Urban Layers and Spaces

2019 ◽  
pp. 72-103
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Multiple Domains

This chapter explores infrastructures, experiences, and interactions in relation to emerging urban layers and spaces for engagement in the city. The purpose of this chapter is to shed light on the digital layers enabled by information and communication technologies, the internet of things, the internet of people, and other emerging technologies to complement and extend existing urban infrastructural layers. The research literature for infrastructures, experiences, and interactions is explored in this chapter in the context of smart cities, enabling identification of issues, controversies, and problems. Using an exploratory case study approach, solutions and recommendations are advanced. This chapter makes a contribution to 1) the research literature across multiple domains, 2) the identification of challenges and opportunities for research and practice relating to emerging urban layers and spaces going forward, and 3) the extending of existing understandings of urbanity to incorporate digital layers and spaces enabling connected, contextual, and continuous engagement.

Digital Technologies as Media to Transfer Knowledge in IT Firms

2016 ◽  
pp. 204-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Zapata-Cantú ◽  
Teresa Treviño ◽  
Flor Morton ◽  
Ernesto López Monterrubio
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Organizational Communication ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Channels ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Transfer Processes ◽  
Information And Communication

During the last decade, improvements in information and communication technologies have made possible the transformation of knowledge transfer processes from purely informal to increasingly formal and more diverse communication mechanisms that enrich intra-organizational communication channels. In this chapter, the authors followed a case study approach to analyze three Mexican companies with the objective of understanding how companies in the IT sector are implementing digital technologies to achieve knowledge transfer in their organizations. The findings suggest that workers seek and choose tools that can be personalized and customized to adapt to their own needs. New digital technologies are proving to be a new and relevant channel of communication among people: therefore, these should be considered to be one possible way to motivate knowledge transfer at work.

Enterprise Architecture Framework for Windhoek Smart City Realisation

2021 ◽  
pp. 110-128
Author(s):  
Irja N. Shaanika
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Smart City ◽  
Enterprise Architecture ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Architecture Framework ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Enterprise Architecture Framework

Many cities are adopting information and communication technologies (ICT) to add value to business process. This has led to the realisation of smart cities making them dependable on ICT. In Namibia, the focus is to transform Windhoek into a smart city. However, it is not easy as Windhoek continues to face many challenges, for example lack of collaboration among stakeholders. The challenges could be attributed by lack of approaches such as enterprise architecture (EA). As a management and design approach, EA provides a system view of all components and their relationship. In the absence of EA, realisation of Windhoek smart city will continue to be challenging, impeding the city from providing smart services. The study's aim was to develop EA framework for Windhoek smart city realisation. A qualitative case study approach was employed. Data was interpretively analysed to enable a deeper understating of the influencing factors. Based on the findings, a conceptual EA framework was developed. The framework aims to guide and govern Windhoek city transformation towards its smart objectives.

scholarly journals Seminar.net with special issue from Finland

Seminar.net ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yngve Nordkvelle
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
User Interface ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Meaningful Work ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Development Environment ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The University

Most of the world has learned to ”see to Finland” over the last decade, beacuse of its reputation as a leading nation in educational achievement, as well as its many creative and diligent approaches in technology. Since 1990 Finnish researchers in media, technology and education have met annually to discuss research matters and further advances in the area. For the conference of 2016, held 13-15th April in Hämeenlinna, Finland, we were asked to have the best papers published in Seminar.net. After a rigourous review process we will print six papers, four in this issue and two in the next.Antti Syvänen, Jaana-Piia Mäkiniemi, Sannu Syrjä, Kirsi Heikkilä-Tammi and Jarmo Viteli, all of the University of Tampere, present the paper “When does the educational use of ICT become a source of technostress for Finnish teachers?» This interesting paper is based on the analysis of questionnaires filled in by 2741 Finnish teachers. It provides significant insight into what causes teachers to experience stress and alienation when using information and communication technologies (ICT) in their classrooms.Tuulikki Keskitalo and Heli Ruokamo of Lapland University present a paper dealing with “Students’ Expectations and Experiences of Meaningful Simulation-Based Medical Education». Simulation in nursing education is a very rapidly developing area, and the students – as well as their teachers – have high expectation. This project is about student’s expectations and the very positive result from this study was that their experiences were even higher than their expectations.Hanna Vuojärvi, of the University of Lapland and Miikka Eriksson, of the University of Eastern Finland, have written the article «Using Mobile Tools to Support Meaningful Work-based Learning in Vocational Education» together. Their case study focused on meaningful work-based learning (WBL) and the pedagogical use of mobile information and communication technologies (ICTs) in vocational tourism education. It demonstrates how the use of smartphones was applied in the project and its usefulness in the student’s work with the learning material.Antero Lindstedt, Kristian Kiili, Pauliina Tuomi and Arttu Perttula, all from Tampere University of Technology, Pori department provide the paper called “A user experience case study: two embodied cognition user interface solutions for a math learning game». They have used a particular game development environment, Semideus, to test out how different user interfaces influenced. They found interesting differences, mainly in favour of the «tilting user interface».

Role of Internet-based information flows and technologies in electoral revolutions: The case of Ukraine’s Orange Revolution

First Monday ◽  
2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volodymyr Lysenko ◽  
Kevin Desouza
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Information Flows ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Orange Revolution ◽  
Information And Communication

Internet-based information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the information flows they support have played an important role in the advancement of society. In this paper we investigate the role of Internet-based ICTs in electoral revolutions. Employing a case study approach, we examine the part played by ICTs during the Orange Revolution in Ukraine (2000-2004). Roles and activities of the dissenters, as well as their associates, the incumbent authorities and their allies are analyzed with regard to Internet-based technologies during the electoral revolution in Ukraine. The case of the Orange Revolution is particularly salient, as even though only one-two percent of the Ukrainian population had access to the Internet, this was sufficient to mobilize the citizens towards an eventually successful revolution. This paper lays the groundwork for further investigations into use of ICTs by political dissenters.

ICT-ENABLED BOTTOM-UP ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burak Pak
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Design Education ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Ict Tools

This paper aims at discussing the potentials of bottom-up design practices in relation to the latest developments in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by making an in-depth review of inaugural cases. The first part of the study involves a literature study and the elaboration of basic strategies from the case study. The second part reframes the existing ICT tools and strategies and elaborates on their potentials to support the modes of participation performed in these cases. As a result, by distilling the created knowledge, the study reveals the potentials of novel modes of ICT-enabled design participation which exploit a set of collective action tools to support sustainable ways of self-organization and bottom-up design. The final part explains the relevance of these with solid examples and presents a hypothetical case for future implementation. The paper concludes with a brief reflection on the implications of the findings for the future of architectural design education.

scholarly journals A Mobile App to Optimize Social Participation for Individuals with Physical Disabilities: Content Validation and Usability Testing

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1753
Author(s):  
Dahlia Kairy ◽  
Mir Abolfazl Mostafavi ◽  
Catherine Blanchette-Dallaire ◽  
Eva Belanger ◽  
Andrea Corbeil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Physical Disabilities ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Mobility Limitations ◽  
User Friendliness ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Information Optimization

Background: Social participation is beneficial for individuals’ health. However, people with disabilities that may lead to mobility limitations tend to experience lower levels of social participation. Information and communication technologies such as the OnRoule mobile application (app) can help promote social participation. Objectives: To obtain potential users’ perceptions on the usability and content of the OnRoule app for providing information on accessibility, as well as its potential to optimize social participation. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional user-centered design study. Individuals with physical disabilities (n = 18) were recruited through community organizations and interviewed using a semi-structured guide. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes were identified: (1) “user-friendliness”; (2) “balance between the amount and relevance of information”; and (3) “potential use of the app”. Discussion and Conclusion: Findings from this study indicated that the app was easy to use, had pertinent information, and enabled a positive experience of finding information. However, several areas of improvement were identified, such as the clarity of specific elements, organization and amount of information, optimization of features, and inclusiveness. Apps such as OnRoule could optimize social participation by facilitating the process of finding resources in the community and building a sense of connectedness between users.

scholarly journals A Business Model Framework to Characterize Digital Multisided Platforms

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Ardolino ◽  
Nicola Saccani ◽  
Federico Adrodegari ◽  
Marco Perona
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The One

Businesses grounded upon multisided platforms (MSPs) are found in a growing number of industries, thanks to the recent developments in Internet and digital technologies. Digital MSPs enable multiple interactions among users of different sides through information and communication technologies. The understanding of the characteristics and constituents of MSPs is fragmented along different literature streams. Moreover, very few empirical studies have been carried out to date. In order to fill this gap, this paper presents a three-level framework that describes a digital MSP. The proposed framework is based on literature analysis and multiple case study. On the one hand, the framework can be used to describe MSP as it provides an operationalization of the concept through the identification of specific dimensions, variables and items; on the other hand, it can be used as an assessment tool by practitioners, as exemplified by the three empirical applications presented in this paper.

scholarly journals Can HCI Help Increase People’s Engagement in Sustainable Development? A Case Study on Energy Literacy

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7543
Author(s):  
Carla Pestana ◽  
Luísa Barros ◽  
Sabrina Scuri ◽  
Mary Barreto
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Information Platform ◽  
Energy Education ◽  
Initial Results ◽  
User Centered ◽  
Education Initiatives

The adoption of energy efficiency practices and increased penetration of renewable energy sources in the power system are estimated to play a key role in the decarbonization of the energy sector, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately fight climate change. To foster energy transition, energy education initiatives should primarily target the citizens and be designed adopting a User-Centered Design (UCD) approach and HCI methodologies. This paper describes how UCD/HCI can inform the design of citizens’ energy education initiatives by presenting a case study—the development of an information platform targeting Madeiran citizens. The article describes the design process, from ideation to prototype and validation. Methods used in each phase (card sorting, semi-structured interviews, brainstorming sessions, think-aloud protocol and surveys) are described. Results of each phase and how they have informed the following steps are presented, together with a detailed description of the resulting information platform and initial results in terms of acceptance and interaction with the system. Our initial results support the hypothesis that adopting an HCI perspective can nurture the development of energy education initiatives targeting citizens, bringing a user-centered approach to the design of such initiatives.

ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF TEACHING AT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN MALAYSIA THROUGH THE USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

2012 ◽  
Vol 02 (04) ◽  
pp. 20-25
Author(s):  
Anantha Raj A. Arokiasamy
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Geographically Distributed ◽  
Breaking Time

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in higher education for imparting easily accessible, affordable and quality higher education leading to the uplift of Malaysia. The focus of the paper is on the benefits that ICT integration in education can provide, right from breaking time and distance barriers to facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing among geographically distributed students. ICT increases the flexibility of delivery of education so that learners can access knowledge anytime and anywhere. It can influence the way students are taught and how they learn as now the processes are learner driven and not by teachers. This in turn would better prepare the learners for lifelong learning as well as to contribute to the industry. We will also analyze if ICT does indeed improve or hinder the quality of learning among higher education students. This paper reports on the changing trends in use of ICTs for instruction in higher education institutions (HEIs) and discusses a mini-case study of how ICTs are being used by lecturers in one university in Malaysia.

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