An Analysis Framework for Quantitatively Characterizing Collaboration in Tabletop Based CSCW Environments

Abstract

Interactive tabletop systems have shown great potential in fostering collaboration. We investigate the question of a suitable methodology for measuring, modeling and quantitatively characterizing real-world face-to-face interactions in tabletop environments while also focusing on the mutual influence of these real-world interactions / usage patterns and the IT environment. In our contribution, key aspects of the characteristics of tabletop collaboration (including related interaction patterns outside the IT environment) are quantitatively measured with the help of a dedicated tracking environment. We conducted an experiment, where participants used our creativity support system to create new ideas while their actions, motions and communication were recorded. We use several different creativity techniques in order to cover a spectrum of interaction variants within the limits of our application. We give a brief introduction of the application, followed by an overview of the tracking environment and the various types of data recorded during the user sessions. We present and discuss some examples from the possible range of results that can be derived from this data.