The week's pick
Random Articles
Reseach Article
Evaluating Collaborative Technologies used by Academics: Case Study of Loughborogh University, UK
| International Journal of Computer Applications |
| Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA |
| Volume 93 - Number 19 |
| Year of Publication: 2014 |
| Authors: Alhassan, Mohammed Enagi |
10.5120/16471-6208
|
Alhassan, Mohammed Enagi . Evaluating Collaborative Technologies used by Academics: Case Study of Loughborogh University, UK. International Journal of Computer Applications. 93, 19 ( May 2014), 37-40. DOI=10.5120/16471-6208
Abstract
This study identifies a sample of academics from Loughborough University who collaborate as part of their research and teaching activities, and explores their use of technologies in supporting their collaborative activities. This study investigates how collaborators evaluate collaborative technologies they have adopted for use. This study uses Loughborough University as a as case study. Seventeen academics were interviewed to capture their opinions and experiences, as they relate to the aims and objectives of this study. Documentary evidence, such as spreadsheets of technology requirements, provided by the eLearning Centre at Loughborough University and archived materials, such as emails, provided by the research participants formed part of the data gathering and analysis. The findings show that that users tend to evaluate collaborative technologies after implementation and the three main evaluation approaches are currently used the 'heuristic approach', 'cost benefit approach' and 'break down method'. The findings also show that no single evaluation technique alone was appropriate across the range of activities and groups identified as part of the case study.
References
- Cyscneiros, L and Kusniruk, A. (2003). Bringing Usability to the Early stages of Software Development. The 11th IEEE International Requirements Engineering Conference, Monterey Bay, CA, 8-12 September, 2003, pp. 359-360.
- Denzin, N. K. & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds. ). (2005). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research (3rd ed. ). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
- Dix, A. et al. (2004). Human Computer Interaction, 3rd edition. Essex, England: Pearson Education Limited pp. 319-322.
- Hartswood, M. & Procter, R. (2000). Design guidelines for dealing with breakdowns and repairs in collaborative work settings. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies. pp. 53, 91-120.
- Haynes, S. , Purao, S. & Skattebo, A. (2009). Scenario-Based Methods for evaluating Collaborative Systems. Computer Supported Cooperative Work. 18(4): 331-356.
- Lunenburg, F. , & Irby, B. (2008). Writing a successful thesis or dissertation: Tips and strategies for students in social and behavioral science. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
- Neale, D. C. , Carroll, J. M. & Rosson, M. B (2004). Evaluating computer supported cooperative work: models and frameworks computer supported cooperative work. Proceedings of the 2004 ACM conference on computer supported cooperative work, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Pp. 112-121.
- Nielsen, J. & Molich, R. (1990). Heuristic evaluation of user interface. ACM CHI'90 Conference, Seattle, WA 1-5April, pp. 249-256
- Pinelle, D and Gutwin, C. (2000). A Review of Groupware. Evaluation. Proceedings of the 9th IEEE International Workshops on Enabling Technologies: Infrastructure for Collaborative Enterprises. Pp 86-91
- Pinelle, D. , Gutwin, C. & Greenberg, A. (2003). Task analysis for groupware usability evaluation: Modeling shared-workspace task with the mechanics of collaboration. Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 10(4): 281-311
- Swindler, S. D. , Randall, C. E. & Beisner, G. S. (2006) An application of heuristic techniques for evaluation of collaborative system interfaces. 2006 International Symposium on collaborative technologies and systems proceedings, Las Vegas, NY. Pp. 232-239Cyscneiros and Kushniruk, 2003
Index Terms
Keywords