Multiple mice for retention tasks in disadvantaged schools

This study evaluates single-mouse and multiple-mouse configurations for computer-aided learning in schools where access to computers is limited due to resource constraints. Multimouse, a single display groupware solution, developed to allow multiple mice to be used simultaneously on a single PC, is compared with singleuser-single-mouse and multiple-user-single-mouse scenarios. Multimouse itself is trialed with two unique interaction designs ? one where competitive interaction among students is encouraged, and another where more collaborative interaction is expected. Experiments were conducted with 238 schoolchildren from underprivileged households in rural India on an English vocabulary retention task. On the whole, Multimouse configurations (five users each) were found to be at par with single-user scenarios in terms of actual words learned by students. This suggests that the value of a PC can be inexpensively multiplied by employing a multi-input shared-use design. Gender effects we...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2007
• Where: CHI
• Authors: Udai Singh Pawar, Joyojeet Pal, Rahul Gupta, Kentaro Toyama
• Keywords: CHI 2007, Human Computer Interaction, Keywords Single Display, Single Display Groupware, Unique Interaction Designs