An Exploration of Collaborative Map Techniques

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An Exploration of Collaborative Map Techniques

• Wendy Schafer
• Center for Human-Computer Interaction
• Computer Science Department
• Virginia Tech

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Collaboration

• Variety of ways to collaborate
• Meetings, phone, email, online chat, etc.
• Tricky to collaborate on spatial problems from
  different locations
• Ex Stream work between Water Center and Museum
• Exploring innovative online tools

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Spatial Discussion Tool

• Designed with Stroubles Creek Focus Group
• Possible Tasks
• Spatial discussions using text and annotations
• Labeling areas to establish common knowledge
• Sharing data collection sites spatially
• Working prototype
• Evaluated with focus group members

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Spatial Discussion Tool
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Evaluation

• Each person sat a different computer
• No talking, just typing and drawing
• Task Identify four interesting sites along
  Stroubles Creek

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Example
A For the urban site we can use one of the SOS
sites in downtwon area. Do you have any
suggestions? B The urban site could be that one
downstream of DP? OR we could go to the one by
the fire station? A What is DP? B duck pond A
The urban site should be, in my openion, above
the DP. The FS site can be appropriate. B
(drawing) This could be the urban site by the
fire station it is all gabion basketed A I
agree with the urban site by the fire station.
So site one is selected.
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Example Screenshot
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Radar Map Tool

• Awareness issue with spatial discussion tool
• Radar map shows where everyone is working

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Traditional Radar Map
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Bubble Radar Map
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Evaluation

• Formal experiment
• Traditional vs. Bubble
• Hypothesis
• Bubble supports detailed discussions
• Distortion is not too displeasing
• Currently analyzing results