Video-mediated Communication Research Articles

Physiological reactivity to faces via live and video-mediated communication in typical and atypical development

The human face is a powerful elicitor of emotion, which induces autonomic nervous system responses. In this study, we explored physiological arousal and reactivity to affective facial displays shown in person and through video-mediated communication. We compared measures of physiological arousal and reactivity in typically developing individuals and those with the developmental disorders Williams syndrome (WS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants attended to facial displays of happy, sad, and neutral expressions via live and video-mediated communication. Skin conductance level (SCL) indicated that live faces, but not video-mediated faces, increased arousal, especially for typically developing individuals and those with WS. There was less increase of SCL, and physiological reactivity was comparable for live and video-mediated faces in ASD. In typical development and WS, physiological reactivity was greater for live than for video-mediated communication. Individuals with WS showed lower SCL than typically developing individuals, suggesting possible hypoarousal in this group, even though they showed an increase in arousal for faces. The results are discussed in terms of the use of video-mediated communication with typically and atypically developing individuals and atypicalities of physiological arousal across neurodevelopmental disorder groups.

Acceptance by the Public of the Virtual Delivery of Public Services

Little is known about the determinants of acceptance by the general public of virtual delivery of governmental services. The authors conduct an empirical study of the factors that influence the willingness of individuals to consent to a para-authentic virtual experience with a public sector employee as part of the delivery of a public service. This study is based on the theory of social presence and on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). The authors test these hypotheses using 224 questionnaires completed by persons who have filed a police report using synchronous video-mediated communication (VMC). This multiple regression analysis shows that four variables are likely to predict willingness to use virtual interaction as a part of the delivery of a public service: performance expectations, social presence, social influence, and anxiety. Two findings were especially interesting. First, affective predictors, as opposed to cognitive predictors, were found to be of increasing importance for the acceptance by the public of virtual service delivery. Second, social presence emerged as the strongest affective predictor. This study’s empirical findings support the a priori assumption that affective predictors, as opposed to cognitive predictors, are relatively more important in predicting the intention to use virtual technologies, when contrasted with conventional technologies.

Supporting practice-based learning with video-mediated technologies: an overview

Aims: The primary aim of this article is to present a an overview of the use of technologies and in particular, video-mediated technologies, in the one-to-one support of students. Contents: Historically, limited research into the use of video communications to support practice-placed learning, highlighted a number of difficulties but suggested the potential for more widespread use in the future. However, despite dramatic improvements in hardware, software and infrastructure, video-mediated communications remain limited in their practice-based application. This article explores in brief, the historical issues associated with the technology and potential reasons for a lack of more comprehensive use in current education. Raising questions relating to consumer demands, the article explores how the development of infrastructure has failed to keep pace with technologies, thus, potentially contributing to a slower uptake within education than envisaged a decade ago. Conclusions: With reference to new, emerging technologies and the development of national and global infrastructures, suggestions are made as to how future, health-related higher education may alter from traditional models of learning.

Evaluation of Videophone Communication for Families of Hospitalized Children

This study evaluated videophones as a means of support among families who had limited access to their hospitalized children due to geographic separation. These videophones facilitated video-mediated communication between the hospital and the family home. Qualitative interviews explored the outcomes and processes related to videophone use for a subsample of 14 participants. Content analysis identified six themes: being in hospital far from home is “draining,” vicarious growth and the recalibration of priorities, “it's like you're right there,” source of happiness in a hard place, ease of videophone use, and limitations of the videophone. Participants reported that family separation during pediatric hospitalization was very difficult, and use of the videophones mitigated these effects through decreasing feelings of isolation and anxiety, and increasing feelings of connection between family members.

How Conversations Change Over Time in Face-to-Face and Video-Mediated Communication

An experiment was conducted to examine how communication patterns and task performance differ as a function of the group's communication environment and how these processes change over time. In a longitudinal design, three-person groups had to select and argue the correct answer out of a set of three alternatives for ten questions. Compared with face-to-face groups, video-teleconferencing groups took fewer turns, required more time for turns, and interrupted each other less. Listeners appeared to be more polite, waiting for a speaker to finish before making their conversational contribution. Although groups were able to maintain comparable performance scores across communication conditions, initial differences between conditions in communication patterns disappeared over time, indicating that the video-teleconferencing groups adapted to the newness and limitations of their communication environment. Moreover, because of increased experience with the task and the group, groups in both conditions needed less conversation to complete the task at later rounds. Implications are discussed for practice, training, and possibilities for future research.

To be or not to be trusted: The influence of media richness on defection and deception

When business transactions take place between strangers, individuals rely on the cues during communication to determine whether they can trust others’ intentions. How that process occurs in the context of computer-mediated, video-mediated, and face-to-face interactions is still somewhat unknown. We examine how media richness influences both affective-based and cognitive-based trust in the context of two studies with two different social dilemma scenarios. Further, we explore how these two types of trust influence not only non-cooperative behavior (defection) but also lying (deception). Results from the first study suggest cognitive-based trust mediates the relationship between media richness and defection, while results from both studies suggest that affective-based trust mediates the relationship between media richness and deception. Video-mediated communication solves some, but not all, of the problems inherent when interacting via communication technology.

Are you looking at me? Measuring the cone of gaze.

The processing of gaze cues plays an important role in social interactions, and mutual gaze in particular is relevant for natural as well as video-mediated communications. Mutual gaze occurs when an observer looks at or in the direction of the eyes of another person. The authors chose the metaphor of a cone of gaze to characterize this range of gaze directions that constitutes "looking at" another person. In 4 experiments using either a real person or a virtual head, the authors investigated the influences of observer distance, head orientation, visibility of the eyes, and the presence of a 2nd head on the perceived direction and width of the gaze cone. The direction of the gaze cone was largely affected by all experimental manipulations, whereas its angular width remained comparatively stable.

Multidisciplinary Medical Team Meetings: An Analysis of Collaborative Working with Special Attention to Timing and Teleconferencing

In this paper we describe the process of a multi-disciplinary medical team meeting (MDTM), its functions and operation in colocated and teleconference discussions. Our goal is to identify the elements and mechanics of operation that enhance or threaten the dependability of the MDTM as a "system" and propose technologies and measures to make this system more reliable. In particular, we assess the effect of adding teleconferencing to the MDTM, and identify strengths and vulnerabilities introduced into the system by the addition of teleconferencing technology. We show that, with respect to the system's external task environment, rhythms of execution of pre-meeting and post-meeting activities are critical for MDTM success and that the extension of the MDTM to wider geographic locations with teleconferencing might disrupt such rhythms thereby posing potential threats to dependability. On the other hand, an analysis of vocalisation patterns demonstrates that despite difficulties related to coordination and awareness in video-mediated communication (evidenced by increased time spent in case discussion, longer turns, decreased turn frequency and near lack of informal exchanges) the overall case discussion structure is unaffected by the addition of teleconferencing technology into proceedings.

Communication and Coordination Problems in the Hydocarbon Processing Industry

Effective communication and coordination is important in the hydrocarbon processing industry. This paper represents the first step in a larger study with the goal of improving communication and designing solutions (technology, training, work processes) to support effective coordination. We administered a survey to 11 sites to understand and characterize communication and coordination issues. Results showed that communication and coordination could be improved between planning and operations (console, field, head operators), communication between units, between maintenance (technicians, coordinators, supervisors) and operations and during shift handover. Specific constraints that hinder communication and coordination included weak leadership, poor control room design, closed communication culture, deficient work processes, and varied situation and work environment constraints. Potential solution areas include procedures, electronic logs, group displays, CRM and leadership training, and the use of video-mediated communication.

A study of the suitability of videophones for psychometric assessment

In order to determine whether videophones are appropriate communication tools for psychometric assessments, we need to determine whether the quality of videophones is adequate to enable this type of assessment or whether it places a burden on the communication. The purpose of this study is to measure the subjective quality of video and audio features of commercially available videophones in the context of a psychometric assessment session. We recruited 52 subjects who used the videophone to participate in a psychometric assessment using the Perceived Stress Scale. After each session, participants filled out the ITU-T P.920 that assesses the context-specific quality of the video-call. Findings indicate that the overall audio and image quality of the video-call was satisfactory and participants perceived the videophones as useful in the context of psychometric assessment. These findings strengthen the call for use of video mediated communication in home and hospice settings and disease management.

Patient and Family Involvement in Hospice Interdisciplinary Teams

Hospice programs rely on interdisciplinary team (IDT) collaboration in the delivery of quality care at the end of life. The hospice philosophy advocates patient autonomy in decision making, and treatment of the patient and family as a unit of care. Including patients and families in IDT meetings regarding their care is a logical corollary of this philosophy. Hospice professionals in one Midwestern US state were interviewed by phone to determine the extent of patient and family involvement in their IDT meetings. A few programs had direct experience with patients and families attending IDT meetings, but attendance was not routine. Better communication was recognized as a potential benefit. The patient's frailty and the burdens of caregiving for the family were noted challenges to participation. Video-mediated communication is offered as a potential solution.

Providing remote accessible field trips (RAFT): an evaluation study

Abstract RAFT (Remote Accessible Field Trips) provides the possibility for students to participate in field trips from remote locations. This paper reports on two studies to test the RAFT concept. The first study used video-mediated communication (VMC) to allow students to communicate with experts. The second study tested students’ experiences of using off-the-shelf technologies to transfer data while assigned with specific roles. Participants were school students aged 11–18 years. The findings showed RAFT resulted in high levels of interest and was both positive and engaging for students. An increase in student interest in topic (p

Assessment of Patients' Acceptance of and Satisfaction with Teledermatology

Teledermatology refers to the use of information and communication technologies (such as videoconferencing or transmission of digital images) to enable the practice of diagnostic dermatology between participants separated by geographic distance. The objective of this study was to critically review the quality of evidence about patient satisfaction with teledermatology applications. Sample size, reporting of validity and reliability, used instrument and its underlying constructs were determined for all studies where information was available. Fourteen studies were identified, five refer to store-and-forward applications, the remaining ones describe video-based systems. The systematic review demonstrated that methodological deficiencies in the published research impact the generalizability of findings. The two types of teledermatology (video-based and store-and-forward) require different satisfaction instruments as they are based on different contexts of care delivery, with video-mediated communication being key in the former and patients' absence from the diagnostic process in the latter mode of care delivery.

Audio channel constraints in video-mediated communication

This study investigated the effects of two types of audio channels upon the effectiveness of task-based interactions in a video-mediated context (VMC). Forty undergraduates completed a collaborative task (The Map Task) using either a full or half-duplex audio channel. Their performance was compared to face-to-face interactions, taken from the Human Communication Research Centre corpus of Map Task Dialogues. Effects of varying the audio channel were explored by comparing task performance, patterns of speech, and establishment of mutual understanding. Users of the full-duplex VMC made insufficient allowance for the VMC context; they completed the task less accurately than face-to-face participants, and interrupted each other more frequently than other participants. Participants in the half-duplex VMC however performed as well as face-to-face participants. They made sensible adaptations to the constraints imposed by the half-duplex VMC context, producing longer dialogues, with more explicit turn-taking management, and taking greater care in establishing mutual knowledge.

FreeWalk: a social interaction platform for group behaviour in a virtual space

FreeWalk is a social interaction platform where people and agents can socially and spatially interact with one another. FreeWalk has evolved to support heterogeneous interaction styles including meetings, cross-cultural encounters, and evacuation drills. Each of them is usually supported by an individual virtual environment. This evolution extended the capability to control social interaction. The first prototype only provides people with an environment in which they can gather to talk with one another while the third prototype provides them with a whole situation to behave according to their assigned roles and tasks. FreeWalk1 is a spatial videoconferencing system. In this system, the positions of participants make spontaneous simultaneous conversations possible. Spatial movements are integrated with video-mediated communication. FreeWalk1 is able to make social interaction more casual and relaxed than telephone-like telecommunication media. In contrast to conventional videoconferencing systems, people formed concurrent multiple groups to greet and chat with others. In FreeWalk2, a social agent acts as an in-between of people to reduce the problem of the low social context in virtual spaces. When the agent notes an awkward pause in a conversation, it approaches those involved in the conversation with a suggestion for a new topic to talk about. We used this agent to support cross-cultural communication between Japan and US. Our agent strongly influenced people's impressions of their partners, and also, their stereotypes about their partner's nationality. FreeWalk3 is a virtual city simulator to conduct virtual evacuation drills. This system brings social interaction into crisis management simulation. People can join a virtual scene of a disaster at home. Social agents can also join to play their roles assigned by simulation designers. The system architecture has a split control interface to divide control of multiple agents into high-level instruction for them and simulation of their low-level actions. The interface helps simulation designers to control many agents efficiently.

User Study of Video-Mediated Communication in the Domestic Environment With Intellectually Disabled Persons

A user study of video-mediated communication (VMC) involving six persons with mild intellectual disability is presented. It took place at comHOME, a full-scale model of an apartment of the future, showing innovative architectural and technical designs with regard to the integration of VMC into the domestic environment. Two different zones for VMC, comZONES, in the apartment were tested, the videoTORSO (a large-screen set-up for informal everyday communication) and the workPLACE(a place for professional work tasks). The purpose of the study was to get a deeper understanding of how people use these comZONES. The final discussion points out that the comZONES seem to be interpreted correctly and to function aptly in relation to the participants in the study. An assumed explanation is that spatial recognition is a very fundamental human function and thus less significant with regard to the mental capacity of the individual.

A Look Is Worth a Thousand Words: Full Gaze Awareness in Video-Mediated Conversation

Full gaze awareness, defined here as knowing what someone is looking at, might be expected to be a powerful communicative resource when the conversation concerns some object of common interest in the environment. This article sets out to demonstrate this possibility in the context of video-mediated communication. An experiment is reported in which pairs complete a communication task using a novel apparatus that supports full gaze awareness (GA) and mutual gaze (eye contact). This "GA display" was contrasted with 2 control conditions, mutual gaze without full gaze awareness and audio only. The GA display reduced the number of turns and number of words required to complete the task by about 1/2 in comparison with the 2 control conditions. The results of a subsequent conversational games analysis suggest that at least part of this saving comes about because full gaze awareness provides an alternative nonlinguistic channel for checking one's own and the other person's understanding of what was said.

Video-mediated communication in the classroom to support sick children: a case study

Video mediated communication is a valuable educational resource because it provides access to otherwise unreachable learning materials, it motivates students, and helps them improve their communication skills. Over the last four years we have developed a unique application of video mediated communication known as Wayne Gretzky's Providing Education By Bringing Learning Environments to Students (PEBBLES). This is a video-mediated communication system that has been designed to link a child in the hospital with his/her regular classroom. Analysis of video tape data from a six-week case study documenting the frequency of interactions and usage behaviors indicates that the student was able to spend most of her in-class time focussing on the academic tasks assigned to the class despite some technical difficulties and distractions in her local environment. Audio difficulties persisted throughout the study and must be improved in future design iterations of the system. Relevance to industry Successful use of videoconferencing in the classroom has not been well documented. A communication system that combines videoconferencing technologies and a physical avatar has been designed for use by sick children to attend school. An evaluation methodology and a case study presenting the results are beneficial to learning technology industries and users as well as videoconferencing industries.

Private and public digital domestic spaces

With the introduction of information and communication technologies into our homes and the different physical and communicative expressions this implies for our living spaces the concepts of being private and of beingpublic become crucial. In this paper, we introduce A Pattern Language, developed by Christopher Alexander in the 1970s, in order to handle these problems systematically. The presentation formally follows Alexander's structure in five cases all related to practical experiments on being private and public at home. We start with a number of concrete user situations related to human–computer interaction. Social and communicative phenomena or possibilities end up in novel design patterns at the interface between an architectural and a technological perspective. The novel patterns presented are primarily based on experiences from practical work on the development of a conceptual dwelling of the future, comHOME, designed and constructed as a full-scale model of a flat. By creating different zones for video-mediated communication, comZONES, the user can control the private and public digital areas varying in time and space. The novel patterns refer to two separate levels. On the first level a specific pattern, called “PRIVATE AND PUBLIC DIGITAL SPACES”, is designed as a conceptual floor plan layout. This plan distributes private and public digital spaces for video-mediated communication over the flat. At a second level, four patterns show the integration of the specific comZONES aiming at solving four specific problems with video-mediated communication at home. Our intention is to describe the application of design patterns as a method for analysing and solving novel problems encountered with the introduction of information and communication technologies in our homes. The video-mediated set-ups are not dealt with in depth. They serve mainly as designs that make it possible to apply the design patterns.

Video-mediated Communication [Book Review

Video-mediated Communication [Book Review