Abstract
People interact with computers using their senses. Currently, in a digital context, traditional digital media like videos and images used to convey information to users, and these media can be used as a source of information. However, relatively few studies have been conducted on olfactory media as a source of information in a digital context. In this paper, we report on a study that examined the possibility of using olfactory media as a source of information and whether its usage as informational cues enhances learning performance and user Quality of Experience (QoE). To this end, an olfactory-enhanced quiz (web-based) was developed about four countries. The quiz contained different types of questions employing four types of digital media in their contents: text, image, audio and olfactory media. Four scents were used that were considered to be related to the respective countries. Sixty-four participants were invited to our experiment to evaluate this application. Our results revealed that usage of olfactory media synchronised with traditional digital media had a significant impact on learner performance compared to the case when no olfactory media was employed. In respect of user QoE, it was found that olfactory media influenced users positively; moreover, they were passionate about engaging with enhanced olfactory applications in the future.
Highlights
In the ‘real’, physical world, we learn through all our senses; in the digital world not all senses are employed in the e-learning process
The study reported in this paper examined the impact of using olfactory media as a source of information in a digital quiz on learners’ performance and Quality of Experience (QoE)
The results revealed a significant difference between the unenhanced olfactory questions and the enhanced ones
Summary
In the ‘real’, physical world, we learn through all our senses; in the digital world not all senses are employed in the e-learning process. Multimedia Tools and Applications (2020) 79:19265–19287 traditional digital media such as images, audio and video to provide information to learners. This is aimed at enhancing their cognitive skills [2], as such media make it easier for learners to recall information needed and qualify their perception in a specific area [17]. This in turn encourages teachers to support the learning material with these types of media. The image in this example is used as a cue to activate the learner’s memory to recall the information needed or to aid learners to remember this information in the future, as well as making it easier to assimilate the required knowledge not to mention that a picture is worth a thousand words
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