Human-computer interaction

The Laboratory for Open Systems and Networks has rich experience in research of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) by exploring and validating usability evaluation methods (UEM) for research and practice in user interface design, implementation and evaluation. This research includes: Eye tracking together with a variety of usability evaluation methods, including observations, interviews, retrospective think aloud, etc.; measuring navigational consistency in applications; identification of usability problems (UPs) as well as user experience (UX) profiles from which we can prepare redesign proposals for the prototype improvement.

Usability Lab equipment:

Laboratory equipment illustrates the experimental environment for the evaluation of interaction designs and visualization techniques. It is equipped with modern ICT-supported technologies form a general purpose workstations, laptops, servers, heterogenic network access and high-end testing equipment including a Tobii T60 eye-tracking system and Tobii Studio software. Tobii T60 Eye Tracker (www.tobii.com) is integrated in a high-resolution 15-inch TFT wide screen monitor, and designed for on-screen eye tracking studies that require a large stimulus display. It offers high-quality tracking over wide-screen gaze angles and allows for eye tracking studies of detailed stimuli. The high accuracy and precision of the eye tracking technology ensures that the research results are reliable.

Research activities

The Laboratory for Open Systems and Networks, has participated so far as coordinator or partner in 16 projects from the Framework Programme of EU (4 FP7, 7 FP6, 3 FP5 and 2 FP4), and in a number of research projects from other EU programmes. From 2005-2009 we were involved in a usability evaluation focused EU project COST294-MAUSE: Towards the MAturation of IT USability Evaluation (www.cost294.org), where the ultimate goal was to bring more science to bear on Usability Evaluation Methods (UEM) development, evaluation, and comparison, aiming for results that can be transferred to industry and educators. Gained knowledge and experience was used in a usability evaluation of different ICT applications, developed within other EU projects, where we were responsible for project results evaluation, such as:

• Usability evaluation of Virtual Learning Environment Merlab / EU LdV project Merlab / www.merlab.eu

• Usability and behavior evaluation of Virtual conference centre Global PLAZA/ EU FP7 project GLOBAL / www.global-project.eu

• Usability evaluation of OpenScout portal /EU eContentPlus project OpenScout / www.openscout.net

• Usability and user-experience evaluation of the eLearning Environment SELPRAF/EU LdV project SELPRAF/ www.selpraf.eu

Currently we are partners of another EU COST project from the usability domain: TwinTide – Towards the Integration of Transectioral IT Design and Evaluation (http://twintide.org) where the main objective of the action is to harmonize research and practice on design and evaluation methodologies for computing artifacts, across sectors and disciplines.