383 research outputs found
Interactive Technologies for the Public Sphere Toward a Theory of Critical Creative Technology
Digital media cultural practices continue to address the social, cultural and aesthetic
contexts of the global information economy, perhaps better called ecology, by inventing
new methods and genres that encourage interactive engagement, collaboration, exploration
and learning. The theoretical framework for creative critical technology evolved from the
confluence of the arts, human computer interaction, and critical theories of technology.
Molding this nascent theoretical framework from these seemingly disparate disciplines was
a reflexive process where the influence of each component on each other spiraled into the
theory and practice as illustrated through the Constructed Narratives project. Research
that evolves from an arts perspective encourages experimental processes of making as a
method for defining research principles. The traditional reductionist approach to research
requires that all confounding variables are eliminated or silenced using methods of
statistics. However, that noise in the data, those confounding variables provide the rich
context, media, and processes by which creative practices thrive. As research in the arts
gains recognition for its contributions of new knowledge, the traditional reductive practice
in search of general principles will be respectfully joined by methodologies for defining
living principles that celebrate and build from the confounding variables, the data noise.
The movement to develop research methodologies from the noisy edges of human
interaction have been explored in the research and practices of ludic design and ambiguity
(Gaver, 2003); affective gap (Sengers et al., 2005b; 2006); embodied interaction (Dourish,
2001); the felt life (McCarthy & Wright, 2004); and reflective HCI (Dourish, et al., 2004).
The theory of critical creative technology examines the relationships between critical
theories of technology, society and aesthetics, information technologies and contemporary
practices in interaction design and creative digital media. The theory of critical creative
technology is aligned with theories and practices in social navigation (Dourish, 1999) and
community-based interactive systems (Stathis, 1999) in the development of smart
appliances and network systems that support people in engaging in social activities,
promoting communication and enhancing the potential for learning in a community-based
environment. The theory of critical creative technology amends these community-based
and collaborative design theories by emphasizing methods to facilitate face-to-face
dialogical interaction when the exchange of ideas, observations, dreams, concerns, and
celebrations may be silenced by societal norms about how to engage others in public
spaces.
The Constructed Narratives project is an experiment in the design of a critical creative
technology that emphasizes the collaborative construction of new knowledge about one's
lived world through computer-supported collaborative play (CSCP). To construct is to
creatively invent one's world by engaging in creative decision-making, problem solving
and acts of negotiation. The metaphor of construction is used to demonstrate how a simple
artefact - a building block - can provide an interactive platform to support discourse
between collaborating participants. The technical goal for this project was the development
of a software and hardware platform for the design of critical creative technology
applications that can process a dynamic flow of logistical and profile data from multiple
users to be used in applications that facilitate dialogue between people in a real-time
playful interactive experience
Skyler and Bliss
Hong Kong remains the backdrop to the science fiction movies of my youth. The city reminds me of my former training in the financial sector. It is a city in which I could have succeeded in finance, but as far as art goes it is a young city, and I am a young artist. A frustration emerges; much like the mould, the artist also had to develop new skills by killing off his former desires and manipulating technology. My new series entitled HONG KONG surface project shows a new direction in my artistic research in which my technique becomes ever simpler, reducing the traces of pixelation until objects appear almost as they were found and photographed. Skyler and Bliss presents tectonic plates based on satellite images of the Arctic. Working in a hot and humid Hong Kong where mushrooms grow ferociously, a city artificially refrigerated by climate control, this series provides a conceptual image of a imaginary typographic map for survival. (Laurent Segretier
Lâauto-exploration des espaces sensorimoteurs chez les robots
Developmental robotics has begun in the last fifteen years to study robots that havea childhoodâcrawling before trying to run, playing before being usefulâand that are basing their decisions upon a lifelong and embodied experience of the real-world. In this context, this thesis studies sensorimotor explorationâthe discovery of a robotâs own body and proximal environmentâduring the early developmental stages, when no prior experience of the world is available. Specifically, we investigate how to generate a diversity of effects in an unknown environment. This approach distinguishes itself by its lack of user-defined reward or fitness function, making it especially suited for integration in self-sufficient platforms. In a first part, we motivate our approach, formalize the exploration problem, define quantitative measures to assess performance, and propose an architectural framework to devise algorithms. through the extensive examination of a multi-joint arm example, we explore some of the fundamental challenges that sensorimotor exploration faces, such as high-dimensionality and sensorimotor redundancy, in particular through a comparison between motor and goal babbling exploration strategies. We propose several algorithms and empirically study their behaviour, investigating the interactions with developmental constraints, external demonstrations and biologicallyinspired motor synergies. Furthermore, because even efficient algorithms can provide disastrous performance when their learning abilities do not align with the environmentâs characteristics, we propose an architecture that can dynamically discriminate among a set of exploration strategies. Even with good algorithms, sensorimotor exploration is still an expensive propositionâ a problem since robots inherently face constraints on the amount of data they are able to gather; each observation takes a non-negligible time to collect. [...] Throughout this thesis, our core contributions are algorithms description and empirical results. In order to allow unrestricted examination and reproduction of all our results, the entire code is made available. Sensorimotor exploration is a fundamental developmental mechanism of biological systems. By decoupling it from learning and studying it in its own right in this thesis, we engage in an approach that casts light on important problems facing robots developing on their own.La robotique dĂ©veloppementale a entrepris, au courant des quinze derniĂšres annĂ©es,dâĂ©tudier les processus dĂ©veloppementaux, similaires Ă ceux des systĂšmes biologiques,chez les robots. Le but est de crĂ©er des robots qui ont une enfanceâqui rampent avant dâessayer de courir, qui jouent avant de travaillerâet qui basent leurs dĂ©cisions sur lâexpĂ©rience de toute une vie, incarnĂ©s dans le monde rĂ©el.Dans ce contexte, cette thĂšse Ă©tudie lâexploration sensorimotriceâla dĂ©couverte pour un robot de son propre corps et de son environnement procheâpendant les premiers stage du dĂ©veloppement, lorsque quâaucune expĂ©rience prĂ©alable du monde nâest disponible. Plus spĂ©cifiquement, cette thĂšse se penche sur comment gĂ©nĂ©rer une diversitĂ© dâeffets dans un environnement inconnu. Cette approche se distingue par son absence de fonction de rĂ©compense ou de fitness dĂ©finie par un expert, la rendant particuliĂšrement apte Ă ĂȘtre intĂ©grĂ©e sur des robots auto-suffisants.Dans une premiĂšre partie, lâapproche est motivĂ©e et le problĂšme de lâexploration est formalisĂ©, avec la dĂ©finition de mesures quantitatives pour Ă©valuer le comportement des algorithmes et dâun cadre architectural pour la crĂ©ation de ces derniers. Via lâexamen dĂ©taillĂ© de lâexemple dâun bras robot Ă multiple degrĂ©s de libertĂ©, la thĂšse explore quelques unes des problĂ©matiques fondamentales que lâexploration sensorimotrice pose, comme la haute dimensionnalitĂ© et la redondance sensorimotrice. Cela est fait en particulier via la comparaison entre deux stratĂ©gies dâexploration: le babillage moteur et le babillage dirigĂ© par les objectifs. Plusieurs algorithmes sont proposĂ©s tour Ă tour et leur comportement est Ă©valuĂ© empiriquement, Ă©tudiant les interactions qui naissent avec les contraintes dĂ©veloppementales, les dĂ©monstrations externes et les synergies motrices. De plus, parce que mĂȘme des algorithmes efficaces peuvent se rĂ©vĂ©ler terriblement inefficaces lorsque leurs capacitĂ©s dâapprentissage ne sont pas adaptĂ©s aux caractĂ©ristiques de leur environnement, une architecture est proposĂ©e qui peut dynamiquement choisir la stratĂ©gie dâexploration la plus adaptĂ©e parmi un ensemble de stratĂ©gies. Mais mĂȘme avec de bons algorithmes, lâexploration sensorimotrice reste une entreprise coĂ»teuseâun problĂšme important, Ă©tant donnĂ© que les robots font face Ă des contraintes fortes sur la quantitĂ© de donnĂ©es quâils peuvent extraire de leur environnement;chaque observation prenant un temps non-nĂ©gligeable Ă rĂ©cupĂ©rer. [...] Ă travers cette thĂšse, les contributions les plus importantes sont les descriptions algorithmiques et les rĂ©sultats expĂ©rimentaux. De maniĂšre Ă permettre la reproduction et la rĂ©examination sans contrainte de tous les rĂ©sultats, lâensemble du code est mis Ă disposition. Lâexploration sensorimotrice est un mĂ©canisme fondamental du dĂ©veloppement des systĂšmes biologiques. La sĂ©parer dĂ©libĂ©rĂ©ment des mĂ©canismes dâapprentissage et lâĂ©tudier pour elle-mĂȘme dans cette thĂšse permet dâĂ©clairer des problĂšmes importants que les robots se dĂ©veloppant seuls seront amenĂ©s Ă affronter
Using Tangible Interaction and Virtual Reality to Support Spatial Perspective Taking Ability
According to several large-scale and longitudinal studies, spatial ability, one of the primary mental abilities, has been shown as a significant predictor for STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and career success. Frameworks in HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) and TEI (Tangible and Embodied Interaction) also indicated how the spatial-related aspects of interaction are a common design theme for interfaces using emerging technologies. However, currently only very few interactive systems (using TEI) are designed around a target spatial ability. TEIâs direct effects on spatial ability are also not well-investigated. Meanwhile, a growing body of research from cognitive sciences, such as embodied cognition and Common Coding Theory, shows that physical movements can enhance cognition in aspects that involve spatial thinking. Also, virtual reality (VR) affords better 3D perception for digital environments, and provides design opportunities to engage users with spatial tasks that may not be otherwise imagined or achieved in the real world.
This research describes how we designed and built the system TASC (Tangibles for Augmenting Spatial Cognition), which combines body movement tracking and tangible objects with VR. We recap our design process and design rationales, along with how the finalized system was designed to enhance embodiment as a means to activate, support, engage, and hopefully augment spatial perspective taking ability. We conducted a user study with qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods. Respectively, the qualitative evaluation aimed to understand how the participants used the system; the quantitative evaluation was a multi-condition experiment with pre-tests and post-tests used to investigate if and how the system could improve spatial perspective taking ability. We built the digital pre/post-tests based on PTSOT (Perspective Taking/Spatial Orientation Test) (Hegarty, Kozhevnikov, & Waller, 2008).
The study in total involved 52 participants: 6 participants (3M/3F) in the pilot study, 46 in the main study (3 conditions, around 15 per condition, each condition was overall gender-balanced). The qualitative analysis focused on the VR-TEI condition (the âmain systemâ). Using thematic analysis with the video clips and written notes (both taken during the participantsâ interaction), and audio clips (recorded during the post-interaction interview), we synthesized the qualitative results into 4 themes: (1) Spatial strategies: akin but unique; (2) The use of gestures & verbalization; (3) Positive experience with the system; (4) The potentials of the system. The quantitative statistical analysis, using ANOVA and t-test for the 3-condition experiment, showed that every condition yielded perspective taking improvement from taking the test twice. However, only the VR-TEI condition led to statistically significant improvement. We conclude the research with discussion and future possibilities in these themes of: (a) The role of embodiment; (2) Further explorations of intermediate conditions; (3) A deeper look at sample size and validity; (4) Designing & evaluating TEIs for other spatial abilities; (5) Integration with STEM curriculum. The main contribution of this dissertation is that it reports how a VR-TEI system can be designed, built, and evaluated for a target spatial ability. We hope this research also contributes to bridging some knowledge gaps between interaction design, cognitive science, and STEM learning
Data graphics and interactive information environments
The flow and exchange of information is characteristic of the digital age. Information is increasingly consumed and produced. It has to be stored, channelled and processed. It also has to be reproduced in new forms again and again. The exponential growth in the volume of digital data has led to new challenges to visualize this data, such that it makes a significant difference to ones understanding of this data. This gain is known as information, which ultimately transforms into knowledge. Information Visualization attempts to create tools and processes that are an aid to cognition. Although this is a relatively new but established discipline, its roots can be traced to developments in the early 17th century, to what are now termed as Data Graphics. As a precursor to modern, dynamic, computer-based visualizations, Data Graphics underpin the science of visualization. This thesis looks at the design principles that govern the construction of historic and contemporary data displays. Although the medium on which Data Graphics have historically been constructed and presented has changed from paper to the computer, design principles have remained the same regardless of the medium or the source of content. The thesis then applies these principles to construct two applications based on large, complex and multivariate data-sets. The first is a proposal for a three-dimensional radar display to visualize Air Traffic Control data. The second application is a visual navigation tool to search within a hypertext document. Both case studies apply design principles inherent in data graphics and utilise human perceptual and cognitive abilities to extract information inherent in data. Finally, both applications are tested by conducting user studies. The contributions of the thesis lie in the construction of the two novel information visualization applications stated above, and by demonstrating that data graphic design principles transcend the medium in which they are produced and presented and can greatly enhance the beauty, efficacy and effectiveness of data displays
Unfoldings
Thesis (M.S.V.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1992.Includes bibliographical references and index.Huizinga's analysis of play, described in his text Homo Ludens, is compared to the creative process in art-making and to the creative response of the viewer. The play process is examined through questionnaire responses and observations made during an evening of experimental play. Huizinga's assertion that play is not a factor in the plastic arts is challenged. Refutations and counterexamples drawn from the history of art since the Renaissance show that play is indeed a factor. The artistic movements cited are those which provide examples of works having either particularly playful or particularly mathematical content, or both, including Anamorphic painting; Dada; Bauhaus; Neo-Plasticism; Concrete Art; Op Art; Fluxus; and Kinetic Art. Special attention is given to the works of Alexander Calder, George Rickey, and Yaacov Agam. The author describes a personal iconography, and introduces the geometric foundation of her sculptural works, which derive from the geometry of R. Buckminster Fuller's "vector-equilibrium jitterbug." Descriptions, photographs, and drawings are included for the author's Thesis Project, comprising several kinetic, manipulatable jitterbug sculptures.Caryn L. Johnson.M.S.V.S
On Utterance Interpretation and Metalinguistic-Semantic Competence
This study explores the role of what I call metalinguistic-semantic competence (MSC) in the processes of utterance interpretation, and in some cases expression interpretation. MSC is so-called because it is grounded in a speaker's explicit knowledge of (or beliefs about) the lexically-encoded meanings of individual words. More specifically, MSC derives, in part, from having concepts of words--or conceptsW as I distinguish them--whose representational contents, I propose, are corresponding items in a speaker's mental lexicon. The leading idea is that once acquired speakers use their conceptsW to form explicit beliefs about the meanings of words in terms of which extralinguistic concepts
those words can (and cannot) coherently be used to express in ordinary conversational situations as constrained by their linguistically-encoded meanings. Or to put the claim differently, I argue that a speaker's explicit conception of word-meanings is a direct conscious reflection of his/her tacit understanding of the various ways in which lexical meanings guide and constrain without fully determining what their host words can (and cannot) be used/uttered to talk about in ordinary discourse. Such metalinguistic knowledge, I contend, quite often plays crucial role in our ability to correctly interpret what other speakers say. The first part of this work details the cognitive mechanisms underlying MSC against the backdrop of a Chomskyan framework for natural language and a Fodorian theory of concepts and their representational contents. The second part explores three ways that MSC might contribute to what I call a speaker's core linguisticsemantic competence. Specifically, I argue that MSC can help explain (i) how competent speakers acquire conceptually underspecified words with their lexical meanings, (ii) the contextual disambiguation of inherently polysemous words, and (iii) the informativeness of true natural language identity statements involving coreferential proper names. The philosophically relevant conclusion is that if any of these proposals pan out then MSC constitutes a proper explanandum of semantic theory, and hence any complete/adequate theory of semantic competence
- âŠ