A different approach to information

The Faculty of Informatics is pleased to announce a seminar given by Frans van der Sluis

DATE: Friday, November 27th, 2009
PLACE: USI Università della Svizzera italiana, room SI-15, Informatics building (Via G. Buffi 13)
TIME: 11.00

ABSTRACT:
In this talk I will give a user-centered view on information retrieval, building upon previous studies showing how people process information. By highlighting the user side of information retrieval I will try to bridge a gap towards the interface and the retrieval side; i.e., how to better connect the implicit and explicit wishes of the user to the information service. In particular, by looking at the specific user group of children, the importance of a user-centered view will become evident. Relevant aspects of information behavior which will be given attention are, at least: flow experience, motivation, and interestingness. The implications of these for any information quest are considered; moreover, possible technological coping methods such as adaptive and tangible technologies are discussed.

BIO:
Frans van der Sluis obtained a BSc in both Computer Science and Psychology and a MSc in Cognition, Media, and Ergonomics, all from the University of Twente, The Netherlands. Previously, he conducted research for the Telematics Institute, Enschede, The Netherlands and for the Innovation Lab of Philips Consumer Lifestyle. He has conducted research within the EU project CANTATA on Context-Awareness and has led the work on a deliverable of the EU Network of Excellence INTUITION on Virtual Reality. Currently, he works on the EU project PuppyIR; information retrieval for children, and he is pursuing his PhD at the department of Human Media Interaction, University of Twente.

HOST: Dr. Monica Landoni