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Collaboration and Multimedia - Telepresentation Projects
We are exploring more effective uses of real-time audio and video for both
formal and informal interactions. Issues being explored include techniques to
increase awareness and interaction among geographically distributed
participants, impact of social factors and current practices in the adoption of
these technologies, design of user interfaces, support for seamless flow
between synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous (on-demand or post-meeting)
collaboration, and infrastructure requirements for supporting these. There are
deep challenges in making the scenarios widely feasible.
TELEP: The current generation of desktop computers and networks are
bringing streaming audio and video into widespread use. A small investment
allows presentations or lectures to be multicast, enabling passive viewing from
offices or rooms. We surveyed experienced viewers of multicast presentations
and designed a system that creates greater awareness of remote viewers and
allows remote viewers to interact with each other and the speaker.
Key Goals:
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Help the live audience become aware of the remote audience
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Help the speaker become aware of the remote audience
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Provide an interactive environment for the remote viewer
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Develop technology to overcome latency problems
Technical Publications:
Presenting to Local and Remote Audiences: Design and Use of the TELEP System.
G. Jancke, J. Grudin, and A. Gupta, 2000. Proc.
CHI 2000, 384-391. (PDF)
Read "Silent Partners," an article about
TELEP.
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 Collaborative
video viewing: Previous research on Tutored Video Instruction (TVI)
shows that learning is enhanced when small groups of students watch and discuss
lecture videos together. We designed a system that allows distributed
individuals to collectively watch video using shared VCR controls. We also
explored the impact of four communication channels-text chat, teleconferencing,
videoconferencing, and face-to-face-on student learning and interaction. Our
lab studies show that while text chat does not work, there is no significant
difference in discussion behavior and learning between teleconferencing and
videoconferencing. The implication is that the benefits of Distributed-TVI can
be made available widely today, using existing telephone infrastructure rather
than waiting for video-conferencing infrastructure.
Key Goals:
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Explore distance learning models that will scale to large numbers of people,
yet offer the advantages of small-group learning
Technical Publications:
Distance
Learning Through Distributed Collaborative Video Viewing.
MSR Tech Report 00-42. (PDF)
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 Video
Windows/Virtual Kitchen: Three public spaces frequently used by members
of a single organization who are distributed across different floors of two
buildings were linked by constantly-running video and audio connections. The
design of the project presented interesting challenges, including how to
provide low-latency full-duplex audio/video connectivity, ways to increase
interaction while addressing privacy concerns, and the acceptance by the
community it served.
Key Goals:
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Link physical spaces electronically to encourage social interaction
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Study social interaction and privacy issues in virtually connected spaces
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Develop a technical infrastructure for virtually connected spaces
Technical Publications:
Linking
Social Spaces:Technical and Social Issues.
Gavin Jancke, Gina Danielle Venolia, JJ Cadiz, Jonathan Grudin, Anoop Gupta.
September 21, 2000, Technical Report MSR-TR-2000-93.
Read "Fancy Meeting You Here," an article about
the Virtual Kitchen
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