An Experimental Comparison of Speech and DTMF for VoiceXML-Based Expert Systems

Comparisons of DTMF and speech modalities for interacting with diverse dialogue systems for different tasks, among different user populations have led to different design recommendations for different user populations. This paper reports the results of the experimental comparison of these input modalities in a new context of VoiceXML-based diseases diagnosis expert system among a new user population - Nigerians. The results show that DTMF was more satisfying than speech for system satisfaction. Modality wise, speech was more satisfying than DTMF. Speech was also more natural than DTMF. DTMF was preferred by the majority and was more effective and efficient than speech. For diseases diagnosis expert health dialogue systems in Nigeria, DTMF is recommended for effectiveness and efficiency. It is also recommended for satisfaction. Speech is recommended for modality satisfaction while both modalities are recommended for entertainment purpose. Speech is advocated for modality naturalness. However, a platform that incorporates the two modalities will provide the benefits of the two, and allow the users varieties of choices that best suit their need

A Mobile User Interface For Low-Literacy Users In Rural South Africa

Information and Communication Technology services for socio-economic development of low-literacy users in rural communities in developing regions are new research contributions that seek to alleviate poverty in underserved communities. The intended users are still new to these technologies and can be described as novice users. This study was conducted to design a mobile user interface to enable low-literacy users in Dwesa community in South Africa to have access to mobile commerce services. We applied different ethnographic research methods through a usercentred design approach to actively involve the target users in the design process. This helped to identify the users’ needs and also meet users’ expectations. The usability of the mobile user interface was evaluated with the target users in the community. The user evaluation shows that the users have positive attitudes and perception of the system. The study found that the user interface conforms to the users’ cultural experience and preferences and they are also positive in their intent to use the user interface

Exploring employment opportunities through microtasks via cybercafes

Microwork in cybercafés is a promising tool for poverty alleviation. For those who cannot afford a computer, cybercafés can serve as a simple payment channel and as a platform to work. However, there are questions about whether workers are interested in working in cybercafés, whether cybercafé owners are willing to host such a set up, and whether workers are skilled enough to earn an acceptable pay rate? We designed experiments in internet/cyber cafes in India and Kenya to investigate these issues. We also investigated whether computers make workers more productive than mobile platforms? In surveys, we found that 99% of the users wanted to continue with the experiment in cybercafé, while 8 of 9 cybercafé owners showed interest to host this experiment. User typing speed was adequate to earn a pay rate comparable to their existing wages, and the fastest workers were approximately twice as productive usi

Evaluation of IVR data collection UIs for untrained rural users

Due to the rapid spread of mobile phones and coverage in the developing world, mobile phones are being increasingly used as a technology platform for developing-world applications including data collection. In order to reach the vast majority of mobile phone users without access to specialized software, applications must make use of interactive voice response (IVR) UIs. However, it is unclear whether rural users in the developing world can use such UIs without prior training or IVR experience; and if so, what UI design choices improve usability for these target populations. This paper presents the results of a real-world deployment of an IVR application for collecting feedback from teachers in rural Uganda. Automated IVR data collection calls were delivered to over 150 teachers over a period of several months. Modifications were made to the IVR interface throughout the study period in response to user interviews and recorded transcripts of survey calls. Significant differences in task success rate were observed for different interface designs (from 0% to over 75% success). Notably, most participants were not able to use a touchtone or touchtone-voice hybrid interface without prior training. A set of design recommendations is proposed based on the performance of several tested interface designs

Analisa Kualitas Sinyal Suara pada Layanan MailBox Berbasis Teknologi Interactive Voice Response(IVR)

Salah satu Aplikasi IVR yang diimplementasikan pada layanan mailbox memiliki kegunaan untuk meninggalkan pesan jika penerima telepon tidak ada di rumah. Kendala yang dihadapi adalah kurang jernihnya pesan yang ditinggalkan, sehingga aplikasi IVR tesebut kurang memuaskan pengguna. Pada penelitian ini akan dianalisa kualitas sinyal suara dengan menggunakan metode ACR(Absolute Category Rating) dan membandingkannya dengan SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio). Hasil analisa digunakan untuk menentukan format perekaman berbasis metode companding yang menghasilkan kualitas sinyal suara terbaik pada teknologi IVR yang diimplementasikan pada layanan mailbox. Dari hasil pengujian diketahui bahwa dengan menggunakan metode ACR dan SNR kualitas sinyal suara terbaik didapatkan dengan menggunakan format perekaman berbasis PCM 8 KHz dengan nilai MOS sebesar 3.98 dan SNR sebesar 51.89 dB, sedangkan sampling rate yang memberikan kualitas sinyal suara terbaik pada seluruh format perekaman yang ada adalah 8 KHz

Usability engineering of interactive voice responsive (IVR) systems in oral users of Southern Africa

Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-109).This research study focuses on the feasibility of using the telephone as a tool for information access in the oral communities of Southern Africa. The OpenPhone and BGR systems are used as case studies and their designs have been influenced by field studies with the targeted users. The OpenPhone project aims to design an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) health information system that enables people who are caregivers for HIV/AIDS infected children to access relevant care-giving information by using a telephone in their native language of Setswana in Botswana, Southern Africa. The BGR system allows soccer fans to access results of recently played matches in Premier Soccer League (PSL) of South Africa

Mobile phones interaction techniques for second economy people

Second economy people in developing countries are people living in communities that are underserved in terms of basic amenities and social services. Due to literacy challenges and user accessibility problems in rural communities, it is often difficult to design user interfaces that conform to the capabilities and cultural experiences of low-literacy rural community users. Rural community users are technologically illiterate and lack the knowledge of the potential of information and communication technologies. In order to embrace new technology, users will need to perceive the user interface and application as useful and easy to interact with. This requires proper understanding of the users and their socio-cultural environment. This will enable the interfaces and interactions to conform to their behaviours, motivations as well as cultural experiences and preferences and thus enhance usability and user experience. Mobile phones have the potential to increase access to information and provide a platform for economic development in rural communities. Rural communities have economic potential in terms of agriculture and micro-enterprises. Information technology can be used to enhance socio-economic activities and improve rural livelihood. We conducted a study to design user interfaces for a mobile commerce application for micro-entrepreneurs in a rural community in South Africa. The aim of the study was to design mobile interfaces and interaction techniques that are easy to use and meet the cultural preferences and experiences of users who have little to no previous experience of mobile commerce technology. And also to explore the potentials of information technologies rural community users, and bring mobile added value services to rural micro-entrepreneurs. We applied a user-centred design approach in Dwesa community and used qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect data for the design of the user interfaces (graphic user interface and voice user interface) and mobile commerce application. We identified and used several interface elements to design and finally evaluate the graphical user interface. The statistics analysis of the evaluation results show that the users in the community have positive perception of the usefulness of the application, the ease of use and intention to use the application. Community users with no prior experience with this technology were able to learn and understand the interface, recorded minimum errors and a high level of v precision during task performance when they interacted with the shop-owner graphic user interface. The voice user interface designed in this study consists of two flavours (dual tone multi-frequency input and voice input) for rural users. The evaluation results show that community users recorded higher tasks successes and minimum errors with the dual tone multi-frequency input interface than the voice only input interface. Also, a higher percentage of users prefer the dual tone multi-frequency input interface. The t-Test statistical analysis performed on the tasks completion times and error rate show that there was significant statistical difference between the dual tone multi-frequency input interface and the voice input interface. The interfaces were easy to learn, understand and use. Properly designed user interfaces that meet the experience and capabilities of low-literacy users in rural areas will improve usability and users‟ experiences. Adaptation of interfaces to users‟ culture and preferences will enhance information services accessibility among different user groups in different regions. This will promote technology acceptance in rural communities for socio-economic benefits. The user interfaces presented in this study can be adapted to different cultures to provide similar services for marginalised communities in developing countrie

JTIT

kwartalni