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Human Computer Interaction Research
I am a researcher at Cornell University's Human Computer Interaction Design Lab. I study ambient visualizations and mobile computing, specifically in museum settings. My role at the lab usually involves programming, user experience research, and design implementation.
Current Research Projects
My Museum Story: A Personal, Annotated Mobile Information Tour Guide
Iphone Layout Template Sample
( HTML/CSS ) - [WORK IN PROGRESS]
The goal of this research will be to explore the implications of creating mobile museum exhibit information web software that empowers visitors by letting them become amateur virtual tour guides. Each user can start his own museum story that he can share with other mobile tour users. The software will encourage social engagement and contributions in museum settings. The software will run on Apple Iphones & Ipod Touches and will be accessible via the web.
Fostering Social Awareness and Reflection in Museums Through Ambient Visualization
Interact the Guan Yin Buddha Visualization
( Adobe Flash 9 ) - [CONTACT ME TO SEE PAPER]
Most museum technologies ignore the social and reflective aspect of museum going. Our research team designed and researched an ambient visualization that would promote reflection and social awareness in art museums. The visualization has three main focuses: people representations, reflective words about the museum object, and recorded sound reflections from each visitor. Visitors record their reflections and sounds to the visualization, and then have the chance to see how their reflections and sounds compare with past visitors'. My role in this project includes visualization & database programming, user experience and field research, and writing. I will be the future lead for any projects stemming from this research.
Past Research Projects
The Effects of Article Interest and Comment Saliency on
Motivations to Contribute in Online Communities
Download Paper (PDF) - INFO 440 Research Project
Authors: Ian Colahan, Jenna Holloway, Alexander Stein, Kenneth Tsung, Sada Williams
Abstract: Participatory online news communities provide Internet users
with a means to share information on current events as well as
share their ideas and opinions on these article topics. These
sites demand user participation, through article response
postings, in order to flourish and grow as well as provide for
development of meaningful content. However, a large
percentage of the user population chooses not to contribute to
the content of these sites in a meaningful way. This paper
reports on the results of an experiment conducted using a
simulated mock-up of a generic online news site. Two factors
believed to influence a users likelihood of posting comments
to the site were manipulated: level of article interest and
saliency of previously posted user comments. As predicted by
theories of social psychology, both factors influenced an
individuals motivation to contribute their thoughts and
opinions to the site. Analysis of empirically collected data
suggests a higher level of article interest leads to increased
user motivation to post comments to the site. Likewise, a
higher degree of saliency of previously posted user comments
lead to increased user motivation to post comments to the site.
These results generate recommendations to web developers as
a means of increase participation of website users.
Visualization Proposals
Not really a research project, just just some visualization proposal sketches I have done for the lab that you may find interesting.