Browsing by Author "He, Helen Ai"
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- ItemOpen AccessAsymmetry in Media Spaces(2008) Greenberg, Saul; Voida, Amy; Voida, Stephen; He, Helen AiIn any collaborative system, there are symmetries and asymmetries present in both the design of the technology and in the ways that technology is appropriated. In typical CSCW research and development, however, there seems to be more focus on supporting and fostering the symmetries than the asymmetries. Throughout more than 20 years of media space research, for example, there has been a recurrent theme - researchers pursuing increased symmetry, whether achieved through technical or social means. The research literature on the use of contemporary awareness systems, in contrast, displays little if any of this emphasis on symmetrical use; indeed, this body of research occasionally highlights the perceived value of asymmetry. In this paper, we unpack the different forms of asymmetry present in both media spaces and contemporary awareness systems. We argue that just as asymmetry has been demonstrated to have value in contemporary awareness systems, so might asymmetry have value in CSCW research system development, as well. To illustrate, we present a media space that emphasizes and embodies multiple forms of asymmetry and does so in response to the unique needs of a particular work context.
- ItemOpen AccessDiscussing Open Energy Data and Data Visualizations with Canadians(2019-11-26) He, Helen Ai; Walny, Jagoda; Thoma, Sonja; Willett, Wesley J.; Carpendale, SheelaghDespite an abundance of data and prevalent open data initiatives from democratic governments, there are many unknowns about how to make open data truly accessible, engaging, and empowering to the general public. We present results from an interview study with 19 Canadians from diverse demographic and occupational backgrounds on their experiences, attitudes, and barriers regarding open government data and visualizations of open data, specifically in the energy domain. We observe among participants three categories of receptiveness to taking in new information on the topic of energy: Data-Interpretation-Receptive (DI-R), Interpretation-Receptive (I-R), and Data-Interpretation-Avoidant (DI-A). For each category, we unpack the barriers, values, and needs of participants, while identifying opportunities for open data and visualizations of open data to better inform, engage, and empower diverse members of the public. Our findings suggest a need for open data and open data visualizations for the public to move beyond a “one-size-fits-all” approach by considering the needs of data-interpretation-avoidant, interpretation-receptive, and data-interpretation-receptive as a step towards broadening the accessibly of open data.
- ItemOpen AccessMotivating Sustainable Energy Consumption in the Home(2008-09-26T21:16:54Z) He, Helen Ai; Greenberg, SaulTechnologies are just now being developed that encourage sustainable energy usage in the home. One approach is to give home residents feedback of their energy consumption, typically presented using a computer visualization. The expectation is that this feedback will motivate home residents to change their energy behaviors in positive ways. Yet little attention has been paid to what exactly motivates such behavioral change. This paper provides a brief overview of theories in psychology and social psychology on what does, and does not motivate sustainable energy action in the home.
- ItemOpen AccessOne size does 'not' fit all: extending the transtheoretical model to energy feedback technology design(2010) He, Helen Ai; Greenberg, Saul; Huang, Elaine M.
- ItemOpen AccessRepresenting Marginalized Populations: Challenges in Anthropographics(2022-10) Dhawka, Priya; He, Helen Ai; Willett, WesleyAnthropographics are human-shaped visualizations that have primarily been used within visualization research and data journalism to show humanitarian and demographic data. However, anthropographics have typically been produced by a small group of designers, researchers, and journalists, and most use homogeneous representations of marginalized populations—representations that might have problematic implications for how viewers perceive the people they represent. In this paper, we use a critical lens to examine anthropographic visualization practices in projects about marginalized populations. We present critiques that identify three potential challenges related to the use of anthropographics and highlight possible unintended consequences—namely (1) creating homogeneous depictions of marginalized populations, (2) treating marginalization as an inclusion criteria, and (3) insufficiently contextualizing datasets about marginalization. Finally, we highlight opportunities for anthropographics research, including the need to develop techniques for representing demographic differences between marginalized populations and for studies exploring other potential effects of anthropographics.