Abstract
To support collaboration, researchers from different fields have proposed the design principles of shareability (engaging users in shared interactions around the same content) and positive interdependence (distributing roles and information to make users dependent on each other). While, on its own, each principle was shown to successfully support collaboration in different contexts, these principles are also partially conflicting, and their combination creates several design challenges. This paper describes how shareability and positive interdependency were jointly implemented in an interactive tabletop-mediated environment called Orbitia, with the aim of inducing collaboration between three adult participants. We present the design details and rationale behind the proposed application. Furthermore, we describe the results of an empirical evaluation focusing on joint problem-solving efficiency, collaboration styles, participation equity, and perceived collaboration effectiveness.
Highlights
Many studies have identified the potential of tabletop interfaces to mediate and support collaboration. e explanation for this potential lies in the large shared screen and the possibility for direct multiuser interaction, which allow users to jointly view and work on tasks [1]
Our results provide an insight into how groups collaborated with the different features of Orbitia and how they perceived their collaboration
We have described a solution that simultaneously addresses shareability and positive interdependence in an interactive tabletop application, with the aim of enforcing collaboration and creating a positive experience
Summary
Many studies have identified the potential of tabletop interfaces to mediate and support collaboration. e explanation for this potential lies in the large shared screen and the possibility for direct multiuser interaction, which allow users to jointly view and work on tasks [1]. E explanation for this potential lies in the large shared screen and the possibility for direct multiuser interaction, which allow users to jointly view and work on tasks [1]. According to Roschelle and Teasley [2], collaboration can be defined as “a coordinated, synchronous activity that is the result of a continued attempt to construct and maintain a shared conception of a problem.”. It is distinguished from cooperation, where labour is divided among several persons, with each of them being responsible for one portion of the work. Hornecker et al [5] propose the concept of shareability to describe the extent to which an interface allows a group of users to be engaged in shared interactions around the same content
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