Designing for others: the roles of narrative and empathy in supporting girls’ engineering engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kylie Peppler ◽  
Anna Keune ◽  
Maggie Dahn ◽  
Dorothy Bennett ◽  
Susan M. Letourneau
Keyword(s):  
User Centered Design ◽  
Science Museums ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Narrative Design ◽  
Design Activities ◽  
Design Perspective ◽  
Support Engineering ◽  
Engineering Practices ◽  
Design Ideas

Purpose Science museums provide a context for developing and testing engineering activities that support visitors in creating personally meaningful objects. This study aims to propose that narrative design elements in such engineering activities can foster empathy to support engineering engagement among girls ages 7–14. Design/methodology/approach Taking a constructionist approach to engineering design, the authors present results from an observational study (n = 202 girls) of engineering activities across three museums that were designed to foster girls’ engineering engagement by integrating narrative elements aimed to foster empathy in activities. Using quantitative counts from observation protocols, the authors conducted statistical analyses to explore relationships between narrative, engineering and empathy. Findings Linear regression demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between empathy and increased numbers of engineering practices within museum activities. Additionally, this led us to explore the impacts the potential narrative design elements may have on designing for empathy – multiple linear regressions found both narrative and empathy to be independently associated with engineering practices. Overall, the authors found that using narrative to design activities to elicit empathy resulted in girls demonstrating more engineering practices. Originality/value The authors offer design ideas to foster aspects of empathy, including user-centered design, perspective-taking, familiarity and desire to help.

Managing User-Centered Design Activities in Distributed Agile Development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sultan Alyahya ◽  
Ohoud Almughram
Keyword(s):  
Participatory Design ◽  
Agile Development ◽  
Design Teams ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Development Teams ◽  
Design Activities ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
User Centered

Abstract The integration of user-centered design (UCD) activities into agile information systems development has become more popular recently. Despite the fact that there are many ways the merging of UCD activities into agile development can be carried out, it has been widely recognized that coordinating design activities with development activities is one of the most common problems, especially in distributed environments where designers, developers and users are spread over several sites. The main approach to coordinate UCD activities with distributed agile development is the use of informal methods (e.g. communication through using video conference tools). In addition to the temporal, geographical and socio-cultural barriers associated with this type of methods, a major limitation is a lack of awareness of how UCD activities and development activities affect each other. Furthermore, some agile project management tools are integrated with design platforms but fail to provide the necessary coordination that helps team members understand how the design and development activities affect their daily work. This research aims to support the effective management of integrating UCD activities into distributed agile development by (i) identifying the key activity dependencies between UX design teams and development teams during distributed UCD/agile development and (ii) designing a computer-based system to provide coordination support through managing these activity dependencies. In order to achieve these objectives, two case studies are carried out. Our findings revealed 10 main dependencies between UCD design teams and development teams as shown by six types of activity. In addition, the participatory design approach shows that developing a computer-based system to manage seven of these selected dependencies is achievable.

Artificial intelligence research in agriculture: a review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Sood ◽  
Rajendra Kumar Sharma ◽  
Amit Kumar Bhardwaj
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovation ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Extant Literature ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Market Factors

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review on the academic journey of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture and to highlight the challenges and opportunities in adopting AI-based advancement in agricultural systems and processes.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a bibliometric analysis of the extant literature on AI in agriculture to understand the status of development in this domain. Further, the authors proposed a framework based on two popular theories, namely, diffusion of innovation (DOI) and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), to identify the factors influencing the adoption of AI in agriculture.FindingsFour factors were identified, i.e. institutional factors, market factors, technology factors and stakeholder perception, which influence adopting AI in agriculture. Further, the authors indicated challenges under environmental, operational, technological, economical and social categories with opportunities in this area of research and business.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed conceptual model needs empirical validation across countries or states to understand the effectiveness and relevance.Practical implicationsPractitioners and researchers can use these inputs to develop technology and business solutions with specific design elements to gain benefit of this technology at larger scale for increasing agriculture production.Social implicationsThis paper brings new developed methods and practices in agriculture for betterment of society.Originality/valueThis paper provides a comprehensive review of extant literature and presents a theoretical framework for researchers to further examine the interaction of independent variables responsible for adoption of AI in agriculture.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-10-2020-0448

Revealing the importance of international and domestic cooperation by using artificial neural networks: case of European radical and incremental innovators

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktor Prokop ◽  
Jan Stejskal ◽  
Beata Mikusova Merickova ◽  
Samuel Amponsah Odei
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Artificial Neural Networks ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
Incremental Innovation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Design Activities ◽  
Artificial Neural ◽  
The One ◽  
Innovation Processes

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to introduce innovative ideas into the treatment of the radical and incremental innovations and to fill the research gap by using: (1) methods that can perform complicated tasks and solve complex problems leading in creation of radical and incremental innovation and (2) a broad sample of firms across countries. The authors’ ambition is to contribute to the scientific knowledge by producing evidence about the novel usage of artificial neural network techniques for measuring European firms' innovation activities appearing in black boxes of innovation processes.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the authors incorporate an international context into Chesbrough's open innovation (OI) theory and, on the one hand, support the hypothesis that European radical innovators benefit more from foreign cooperation than incremental innovators. On the other hand, the results of the analyses show that European incremental innovators rely on domestic cooperation supported by cooperation with foreign public research institutes. Moreover, the use of decision trees (DT) allows the authors to reveal specific patterns of successful innovators emerging within the hidden layers of neural networks.FindingsThe authors prove that radical European innovators using either internal or external R&D strategies, while the combinations of these strategies do not bring successful innovation outputs. In contrast, European incremental innovators benefit from various internal R&D processes in which engagement in design activities plays a crucial role.Originality/valueThe authors introduce innovative ideas into the treatment of hidden innovation processes and measuring the innovation performance (affected by domestic or international cooperation) of European firms. The approach places emphasis on the novelty of innovation and the issue of international cooperation in the era of OI by designing the framework using a combination of artificial neural networks and DT.

AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING APPROACH FOR DEVELOPING MENTAL MODELS IN ENGINEERING DESIGN EDUCATION

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Li ◽  
C. Chua
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Mental Models ◽  
Design Education ◽  
Mental Simulation ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Engineering Design Education ◽  
Design Activities ◽  
Support Engineering ◽  
Prior Experiences

Mental simulation represents how a person interprets and understands the causal relations associated with the perceived information, and it is considered an important cognitive device to support engineering design activities. Mental models are considered information characterized in a person’s mind to understand the external world. They are important components to support effective mental simulation. This paper begins with a discussion on the experiential learning approach and how it supports learners in developing mental models for design activities. Following that, the paper looks at the four types of mental models: object, making, analysis and project, and illustrates how they capture different aspects and skills of design activities. Finally, the paper proposes an alternative framework, i.e., Spiral Learning Approach, which is an integration of Kolb’s experiential learningcycle and the Imaginative Education (IE) framework. While the Kolb’s cycle informs a pattern to leverage personal experiences to reusable knowledge, the IE’s framework suggests how prior experiences can trigger imagination and advance understandings. A hypothetical design of a snow removal device is used to illustrate the ideas of design-related mental models and the spirallearning approach.

Collaborative idea exchange and material tinkering influence families’ creative engineering practices and products during engineering programs in informal learning environments

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo Hyeon Kim ◽  
Heather Toomey Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
Design Research ◽  
Naturalistic Inquiry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Solution Generation ◽  
Quantitative Analyses ◽  
Feasible Solutions ◽  
Engineering Practices ◽  
Parent Child

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how families’ sociomaterial experiences in engineering programs held in libraries and a museum influence their creative engineering practices and the creativity expressed in their products derived from their inquiry-driven engineering activities. Design/methodology/approach This research project takes a naturalistic inquiry using qualitative and quantitative analyses based on video records from activities of 31 parent–child pairs and on creativity assessment of products that used littleBits as prototyping tools. Findings Families engaged in two sociomaterial experiences related to engineering – collaborative idea exchange and ongoing generative tinkering with materials – which supported the emergence of novel ideas and feasible solutions during the informal engineering programs. Families in the high novelty score group experienced multiple instances of collaborative idea exchange and ongoing generative tinkering with materials, co-constructed through parent-child collaboration, that were expansive toward further idea and solution generation. Families in the low novelty score group experienced brief collaborative idea exchange and material tinkering with specific idea suggestions and high involvement from the parent. An in-depth case study of one family further illustrated that equal engagement by the parent and child as they tinkered with the technology supported families’ creative engineering practices. Originality/value This analysis adds to the information sciences and learning sciences literatures with an account that integrates methodologies from sociocultural and engineering design research to understand the relationship between families’ engagement in creative engineering practices and their products. Implications for practitioners include suggestions for designing spaces to support families’ collaborative idea exchange and ongoing generative tinkering to facilitate the development of creative engineering practices during short-term engineering programs.

scholarly journals Quality function deployment: more than a design tool

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadiye Ozlem Erdil ◽  
Omid M. Arani
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Quality Improvements ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Quality Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Design Activities

Purpose This paper aims to investigate to what extent quality function deployment (QFD) can be used in quality improvement rather than design activities. Design/methodology/approach A framework was developed for implementation of QFD as a quality improvement tool. A case study approach is used to test this framework, and quality issues were analyzed using the framework in a ceramic tile manufacturing company. Findings The results showed considerable improvements in the critical quality characteristics identified and sales rates, demonstrating the potential of QFD to be used in assessing and prioritizing areas of improvement, and converting them into measurable process or product requirements. Research limitations/implications One case study was completed. More studies would be beneficial to support current findings. Practical implications This framework provides structured approach and guidelines for practitioners in adapting QFD for quality improvements in existing products or processes. Originality/value This study proposes a new framework to use QFD in quality improvement activities, expanding its application areas. Moreover, the results of the literature study performed provide a valuable collection of practical QFD implementation examples.

Modeling Personas for Older Adults with Heart Failure

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 1072-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Holden ◽  
Pushkar Joshi ◽  
Kartik Rao ◽  
Anagha Varrier ◽  
Carly N. Daley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Future Design ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
Design Activities ◽  
Key Dimensions

In the early stages of the design process, designers often benefit from the use of personas, or archetypes of target users presented in a vivid way to highlight design-relevant characteristics. In the growing efforts to create health information technology (HIT) for older adults, empirically derived personas could help orchestrate more user-centered design activities. However, there is a lack of ready-to-use personas for older adult HIT users and more so for those designing in specific domains such as heart failure self-care. This paper presents personas of older adults derived from qualitative analysis of interviews with 24 older patients with heart failure. Analyses unearthed key dimensions distinguishing patients based on their dispositions towards the self-management of their chronic condition, including locus of control, relationship with the health/support system, information needs, and activities of self-care. Two personas are presented: Direction Follower and Researcher, with subtypes for the latter codified as Investigator and Explorer. Our work contributes to future design of systems including HIT to support chronically ill older adults.

scholarly journals Enhancing graduates’ employability skills through authentic learning approaches

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Ornellas ◽  
Kajsa Falkner ◽  
Eva Edman Stålbrandt
Keyword(s):  
Work Experience ◽  
Authentic Learning ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Graduates ◽  
Design Activities ◽  
Learning Scenarios

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a theoretical framework based on authentic learning approaches that can be taken into consideration in higher education (HE) contexts to design activities that enable students to develop employability skills. Design/methodology/approach Three methods were used to develop the framework: desk research on current demand and supply of new graduate’s employability skills; interviews in four European HE institutions to identify authentic learning scenarios; and asynchronous online focus group to validate the framework. Findings The paper takes a competence-centred approach to the concept of employability skills and sets out a taxonomy of skills required to enhance new graduates’ employability. It also gives criteria and examples of authentic learning scenarios in HE settings that promote the acquisition of these skills. Research limitations/implications The framework developed remains theoretical. In a second phase, the framework will be applied to implement authentic activities in different programmes and subjects of five HE institutions, and the results will be reported in future publications. Practical implications The framework gives directions to create real and practical ways to enhance new graduates’ employability skills by improving the connection between HE curricula and the demands of the real world. Originality/value The added value of the paper lies in adopting a learner-centred, genuine and effective learning approach, such as authentic learning as a catalyst for bringing work experience to formal learning in HE institutions, in order to better develop graduates’ employability skills.

scholarly journals Gaudii: An Automated Graphic Design Expert System

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 1775-1780
Author(s):  
Carlos Glez-Morcillo ◽  
Victor Martin ◽  
David Vallejo Fernandez ◽  
Jose Castro-Schez ◽  
Javier Albusac
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Expert System ◽  
Evolutionary Computation ◽  
Graphic Design ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Design Expert ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Design Activities

Graphic design is the process of creating graphics to meet specific commercial needs based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic concepts. This is usually an iterative trial and error process which requires a lot of time even for expert designers. This expert knowledge can be modelled, represented and used by a computer to perform design activities. This paper describes a novel approach named Gaudii (standing for "Intelligent Automated Graphic Design Generator") which utilizes principles and techniques known from the fields of Evolutionary Computation and Fuzzy Logic to automatically obtain design elements. Experimental results that demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach are presented in the area of poster design.

Web-store image dimensions and online retail customer loyalty: investigating mediators and moderators

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavleen Soni
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Product Quality ◽  
Customer Loyalty ◽  
Online Retail ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Purchase Frequency ◽  
Store Design ◽  
Serial Mediation

PurposeIn an era of burgeoning activity in online retail in India, the role of web-store design is paramount. Web-store design elements such as website functionality, brand assortment and product quality are expected to generate customer loyalty.Design/methodology/approachUsing data collected from 553 students from two universities in north India, the present study investigates the indirect effect of web-store dimensions (through website functionality, brand assortment and product quality) on online store loyalty via an enjoyment state (flow) and customer satisfaction. Serial mediation has been analysed through PROCESS macro developed by Hayes version 3.0. In addition to this, the moderating role of gender and purchase frequency has also been investigated.FindingsThe present study renders support to serial mediation between website functionality, flow, customer satisfaction and loyalty. However, the path between brand assortment and loyalty is more strongly mediated by customer satisfaction only. Males experience less flow as compared to females while handling brand assortment on websites. The three-way interaction between brand assortment, gender and purchase frequency is also statistically significant.Originality/valueThe study examines the manner in which online retailers can choose to build customer loyalty when they try to build retail image using web store functionality and /or product/brand assortments. The study offers insights to retailers about how and when to focus on hedonism versus customer satisfaction or both of them in conjunction to enhance customer loyalty. This study is important as it investigates the relationships in Indian scenario witnessing a high rate of growth in online retail which can tremendously affect these relationships.

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