Comparing tangible and multi-touch interfaces for a spatial problem solving task
Sijie Wang · Summit (Simon Fraser University) · 2010
This thesis presents the results of an exploratory study of a tangible and a multi-touch interface.The study investigates the effect of interface style on users' performance, problem solving strategies and preference for a spatial problem solving task.Participants solved a jigsaw puzzle using each interface on a digital tabletop.The effect of interface style was explored through efficiency measures; a comparative analysis of hands-on actions based on a video coding schema for complementary actions; participants' responses to questionnaires; and observational notes.Main findings are that tangible interaction better enabled complementary actions and was more efficient.Its 3D tactile interaction facilitated more effective search, bi-manual handling and visual comparison of puzzle pieces.For spatial problem solving activities where an effective and efficient strategy is not important, a multi-touch approach is sufficient.The thesis uniquely contributes to understanding the hands-on computational design space through its theoretical framing and empirical findings.