Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Context-dependent awareness support in open collaboration environments

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
User Modeling and User-Adapted Interaction Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The widespread adoption of online services for performing work, home and leisure tasks enables users to operate in the ubiquitous environment provided by the Internet by managing a possibly high number of parallel (private and shared) activity contexts. The provision of awareness information is a key factor for keeping users up-to-date with what happens around them; e.g., with the operations performed by their collaborators. However, the delivery of notifications describing the occurred events can interrupt the users’ activities, with a possible disruptive effect on their emotional and attentional states. As a possible solution to the trade-off between informing and interrupting users, we defined two context-dependent notification management policies which support the selection of the notifications to be delivered on the basis of the user’s current activities, at different granularity levels: general collaboration context versus task carried out. These policies are offered by the COntext depeNdent awaReness informAtion Delivery (CONRAD) framework. We tested such policies with users by applying them in a collaboration environment that includes a set of largely used Web 2.0 services. The experiments show that our policies reduce the levels of workload on users while supporting an up-to-the-moment understanding of the interaction with their shared contexts. The present paper presents the CONRAD framework and the techniques underlying the proposed notification policies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abowd G., Mynatt E.: Charting past, present and future research in ubiquitous computing. ACM Trans. Comput. Hum. Interact. Special Issue on HCI in the new Millennium 7(1), 29–58 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • ActiveCollab: Project management & collaboration. http://www.activecollab.com/ (2008)

  • Adamczyk, P., Bailey, B.: If not now, when?: the effects of interruption at different moments within task execution. In: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’04), pp. 271–278. ACM (2004)

  • Allen D.: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. Penguin, Camberwell (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ardissono, L., Bosio, G., Goy, A., Petrone, G., Segnan, M.: Context-aware notification management in an integrated collaborative environment. In: Proceedings of UMAP Workshop “Adaptation and Personalization for Web 2.0”, pp. 21–30. Trento, Italy (2009a)

  • Ardissono, L., Bosio, G., Goy, A., Petrone, G., Segnan, M.: Managing context-dependent workspace awareness in an e-collaboration environment. In: Proceedings of WI/IAT09 Workshop “Intelligent Web Interaction” (IWI 2009), pp. 42–45. IEEE, Milano (2009b)

  • Ardissono, L., Goy, A., Petrone, G., Segnan, M.: From service clouds to user-centric personal clouds. In: Proceedings of IEEE 2009 International Conference on Cloud Computing (CLOUD-II 2009), pp. 1–8. IEEE, Bangalore (2009c)

  • Ardissono, L., Bosio, G., Goy, A., Petrone, G., Segnan, M.: Open, collaborative task management in Web 2.0. In: Proceedings of MCCIS 2010 IADIS Multiconference on Computer Science and Information Systems, pp. 20–27. IADIS Press, Freiburg (2010a)

  • Ardissono L., Bosio G., Goy A., Petrone G., Segnan M., Torretta F.: Collaborative service clouds. Int. J. Inf. Technol. Web Eng. 5(4), 23–39 (2010b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ardissono L., Goy A., Petrone G., Segnan M., Torasso P.: INTRIGUE: personalized recommendation of tourist attractions for desktop and handset devices. Appl. Artif. Intell. Special Issue Artif. Intell. Cult. Heritage Digit. Libr. 17(8–9), 687–714 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey B., Adamczyk P., Chang T., Chilson N.: A framework for specifying and monitoring user tasks. Comput. Human Behav. 22(4), 709–732 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, B., Iqbal, S.: Understanding changes in mental workload during execution of goal-directed tasks and its application for interruption management. ACM Trans. Comput. Hum. Interact. 14(4), 1–28 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, B., Konstan, J., Carlis, J.: Measuring the effects of interruptions on task performance in the user interface. In: Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, pp. 757–762. IEEE Press, Nashville (2000)

  • Bailey, B., Konstan, J., and Carlis, J.: The effects of interruptions on task performance, annoyance, and anxiety in the user interface. In: Proceedings of Human-Computer Interaction—INTERACT’01, pp. 593–601. IOS Press, Tokyo (2001)

  • Baldauf M., Dustdar S., Rosenberg F.: A survey on context-aware systems. Int. J. Ad Hoc Ubiquitous Comput. 2(4), 263–277 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartram L., Ware C., Calvert T.: Moticons: detection, distraction and task. Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud. 58(5), 515–545 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bazire, M., Brézillon, P.: Understanding context before using it. In: Dey, A., Kokinov, B., Leake, D., Turner, R. (eds.) LNCS 3554, Modeling and Using Context, pp. 29–40. Springer-Verlag, Berlin (2005)

  • Bosio, G.: A user perspective on cloud computing. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Advances in Human-oriented and Personalized Mechanisms, Technologies, and Services (CENTRIC 2010), pp. 1–4. IEEE, Nice (2010)

  • Carroll J., Neale D., Isenhour P., Rosson M., Scott McCrickard D.: Notification and awareness: synchronizing task-oriented collaborative activity. Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud. 58(5), 605–632 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cellier J., Eyrolle H.: Interference between switched tasks. Ergonomics 35(1), 25–36 (1992)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheverst, K., Davies, N., Mitchell, K., Smith, P.: Providing tailored (context-aware) information to city visitors. In: Brusilovsky, P., Stock, O., Strapparava, C. (eds.) LNCS n. 1892: Adaptive Hypermedia and Adaptive Web-Based Systems, International Conference (AH 2000), pp. 73–85. Springer, Berlin (2000)

  • Cohen S.: Aftereffects of stress on human performance and social behavior: a review of research and theory. Psychol. Bull. 88(1), 82–108 (1980)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collanos: Products overview: Team enabling professionals. http://www.collanos.com/en/products (2008)

  • Cultured Code: Things Mac. http://culturedcode.com/things/ (2011)

  • Cutrell, E., Czerwinski, M., Horvitz, E.: Effects of instant messaging interruptions on computing tasks. In: Proceedings of CHI ’00 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 99–100. ACM, The Hague (2000)

  • Czerwinski M., Christman S., Rudisill M.: Interruptions in Multitasking Situations: The Effects of Similarity and Warning. Technical Report JSC-24757. NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston (1991a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Czerwinski M., Christman S., Schumacher B.: The effects of warnings and display similarity on interruption in multitasking environments. ACM SIGCHI Bull. 23(4), 38–39 (1991b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Czerwinski, M., Horvitz, E., Wilhite, S.: A diary study of task switching and interruptions. In: Proceedings of CHI 2004 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 175–182. ACM Press, Vienna (2004)

  • Dey, A., Abowd, D.: Towards a better understanding of context and context-awareness. In: Proceedings of CHI2000 Workshop on the What, Who, Where, When and How of Context-Awareness, The Hague, Netherlands (2000)

  • Dey A., Abowd D.: A conceptual framework and a toolkit for supporting the rapid prototyping of context-aware applications. Hum. Comput. Interact. Special Issue Context Aware Comput. 16(2), 97–166 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dey A., Mankoff J.: Designing mediation for context-aware applications. ACM Trans. Comput. Hum. Interact. 12(1), 53–80 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding, Y., Malaka, R., Kray, C., Schillo, M.: RAJA—a resource-adaptive Java agent infrastructure. In: Proceedings of 5th International Conference on Autonomous Agents (Agents ’01), pp. 332–339. Montreal, CA (2001)

  • Dix A.: Challenges for cooperative work on the Web: an analytical approach. Comput. Support. Coop. Work J. Collab. Comput. 6, 135–156 (1997)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • DoIt.im: Doit anywhere, any time! http://www.doit.im/ (2011)

  • Dourish, P., Bellotti, V.: Awareness and coordination in shared workspaces. In: Proceedings of the 1992 ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW ’92), pp. 107–114. ACM, Toronto (1992)

  • Erickson J., Spence S., Rhodes M., Banks D., Rutherford J., Simpson E., Belrose G., Perry R.: Content-centered collaboration spaces in the Cloud. IEEE Internet Comput. 13(5), 34–42 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Facebook: Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life. http://www.facebook.com/ (2011)

  • Feng Office: Feng Office: Your world wide office. http://www.fengoffice.com (2010)

  • GigaSpaces: GigaSpaces SBA. http://www.gigaspaces.com/pr_overview.html (2008)

  • Google: Google authentication. http://code.google.com/intl/it-IT/apis/accounts/docs/AuthForWebApps.html (2010a)

  • Google: Google documents. http://www.google.com/google-d-s/tour1.html (2010b)

  • Google: Google Web Toolkit. http://code.google.com/intl/it-IT/webtoolkit/ (2010c)

  • Grimes, A., Brush, A.: Life scheduling to support multiple social roles. In: Proceedings of CHI 2008, pp. 821–824. ACM, Florence (2008)

  • Gross T., Prinz W.: Modelling shared contexts in cooperative environments: concept, implementation, and evaluation. Comput. Support. Coop. Work 13(3–4), 283–303 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutwin C., Greenberg S.: The effects of workspace awareness support on the usability of real-time distributed groupware. ACM Trans. Comput. Hum. Interact. Special Issue on HCI in the new Millennium 6(7), 243–281 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutwin, C., Greenberg, S., Roseman, M.: Workspace awareness in real-time distributed groupware: framework, widgets, and evaluation. In: Proceedings of HCI on People and Computers XI, pp. 281–298. London (1996)

  • Haake J., Hussein T., Joop B., Lukosch S., Veiel D., Ziegler J.: Modeling and exploiting context for adaptive collaboration. Int. J. Coop. Inf. Syst. 19(1–2), 71–120 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrer A., McLaren B., Walker E., Bollen L., Sewall J.: Creating cognitive tutors for collaborative learning: steps toward realization. User Model. User-adapt. Interact. 16(3), 175–209 (2006). doi:10.1007/s11257-006-9007-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hart, S., Stateland, L.: Development of NASA-TLX (Task Load Index): results of empirical and theoretical research. In: Hancock, P., Meshkati, N. (eds.) Human Mental Workload, pp. 239–250. North-Holland, Amsterdam (1988)

  • Horstmann T., Bentley R.: Distributed authoring on the Web with the BSCW shared workspace system. StandardView 5(1), 9–16 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horvitz, E.: Principles of mixed-initiative user interfaces. In: Proceedings of ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI’99), pp. 159–166. Pittsburgh, PA (1999)

  • Horvitz, E., Apacible, J., Subramani, M.: Balancing awareness and interruption: investigation of notification deferral policies. In: Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence n. 3538: Proceedings of 10th International Conference on User Modeling, pp. 433–437. Springer-Verlag, Edinburgh (2005)

  • Introne J., Alterman R.: Using shared representations to improve coordination and intent inference. User Model. User-adapt. Interact. 3–4(4), 249–280 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iqbal, S., Bailey, B.: Understanding and developing models for detecting and differentiating breakpoints during interactive tasks. In: Proceedings of SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 697–706. ACM , San Jose (2007)

  • Iqbal, S., Bailey, B.: Effects of intelligent notification management on users and their tasks. In: Proceedings of 26th Annual SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 93–102. Firenze, Italy (2008)

  • Iqbal, S., Horvitz, E.: Leveraging characteristics of task structure to predict the cost of interruption. In: Proceedings of Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 741–750. ACM, Montreal (2006)

  • Iqbal, S., Horvitz, E.: Disruption and recovery of computing tasks: field study, analysis, and directions. In: Proceedings of Computer/Human Interaction 2007 (CHI 2007), pp. 677–686. San Jose, CA (2007)

  • Iqbal, S., Horvitz, E.: Notifications and awareness: a field study of alert usage and preferences. In: Proceedings of the 2010 ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW 2010), pp. 27–30. ACM, Savannah (2010)

  • JBoss Community: jBPM makes your workflow. http://www.jboss.org/jbpm (2010)

  • Kantor, M., Redmiles, D.: CASSIUS: designing dynamic subscription and awareness services. In: Proceedings of CSCW Workshop on Ad Hoc Communications and Collaboration in Ubiquitous Computing Environments, New Orleans, LA (2002)

  • Kobsa A.: Privacy-enhanced Web personalization. In: Brusilovsky, P., Kobsa, A., Nejdl, W. (eds) The Adaptive Web: Methods and Strategies of Web Personalization, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 4321, pp. 628–670. Springer-Verlag, Berlin (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • Latorella K.: Investigating Interruptions: Implications for Flightdeck Performance. Technical Report TM-1999-209707. NASA, Washington (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mark, G., Gudith, D., Klocke, U.: The cost of interrupted work: more speed and stress. In: Proceedings of CHI 2008, pp. 107–110. ACM, Firenze (2008)

  • Mark, G., Su, N.: Considering Web 2.0 technologies within an ecology of collaborations. In: Proceedings of SociUM: Adaptation and Personalisation in Social Systems: Groups, Teams, Communities, pp. 50–59. Corfu, Greece (2007)

  • McFarlane D.: Comparison of four primary methods for coordinating the interruption of people in Human-Computer Interaction. Hum. Comput. Interact. 17(1), 63–139 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McFarlane D., Latorella K.: The scope and importance of human interruption in human-computer interaction design. Hum. Comput. Interact. 17(1), 1–61 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OrbiTeam Software GmbH & Co. KG: Be smart—cooperative, worldwide. http://public.bscw.de/en/about.html (2011)

  • Pendyala, V.S., Shim, S.S.Y.: The Web as the ubiquitous computer. Comput. Now 42, 90–92 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Prinz, W.: NESSIE: an awareness environment for cooperative settings. In: Proceedings of 6th European Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (ECSCW ’99), pp. 391–410. Springer, Pittsburgh (1999)

  • Prinz, W., Löh, H., Pallot, M., Schaffers, H., Skarmeta, A., Decker, S.: ECOSPACE—towards an integrated collaboration space for eProfessionals. In: Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Collaborative Computing: Networking, Applications and Worksharing, pp. 39–45. IEEE, Atlanta (2006)

  • Rittenbruch M.: Atmosphere: a framework for contextual awareness. Int. J. Hum. Comput. Interact. 14(2), 159–180 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roda C., Thomas J.: Attention aware systems: Theories, applications, and research agenda. Comput. Hum. Behav. 22(4), 557–587 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott McCrickard D., Chewar C.M.: Attuning notification design to user goals and attention costs. Commun. ACM 46, 67–72 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott McCrickard D., Czerwinski M., Bartram L.: Introduction: design and evaluation of notification user interfaces. Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud. 8, 509–514 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scupelli, P., Kiesler, S., Fussell, S., Chen, C.: Project View IM: a tool for juggling multiple projects and teams. In: Proceedings of CHI’2005: Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1773–1776. ACM, Portland (2005)

  • TeamWox: TeamWox GroupWare. http://www.teamwox.com (2011)

  • Tran M., Raikundalia G., Yang Y.: Using an experimental study to develop group awareness support for real-time distributed collaborative writing. Inf. Softw. Technol. 48(11), 1006–1024 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Twitter: Twitter is without a doubt the best way to share and discover what is happening right now. http://twitter.com/twitter (2011)

  • van der Aalst W.: The application of Petri Nets to workflow management. J. Circuits Syst. Comput. 8(1), 21–66 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veiel, D., Haake, J., Lukosch, S.: Facilitating team-based adaptation of shared workspaces. In: Proceedings of 2010 International Symposium on Collaborative Technologies and Systems (CTS), pp. 275–284. IEEE, Chicago (2010)

  • Wang, Y., Gräther, W., Prinz, W.: Suitable notification intensity: the dynamic awareness system. In: GROUP’07: Proceedings of the 2007 International ACM Conference on Supporting Group Work, pp. 99–106. ACM, New York (2007)

  • Wikipedia: Publish/subscribe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publish/subscribe (2010)

  • Zimmerman, A., Lorenz, A., Oppermann, R.: An operational definition of context. In: CONTEXT 2007, Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence n. 4635, pp. 558–6571. Springer-Verlag, Berlin (2007)

  • Zimmermann A., Lorenz A.: LISTEN: a user-adaptive audio-augmented museum guide. User Model. User-adapt. Interact. 18(5), 389–416 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Informatica, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy

    Liliana Ardissono & Gianni Bosio

Authors
  1. Liliana Ardissono
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gianni Bosio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Liliana Ardissono.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ardissono, L., Bosio, G. Context-dependent awareness support in open collaboration environments. User Model User-Adap Inter 22, 223–254 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11257-011-9100-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11257-011-9100-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation