Abstract
The PhD thesis deals with research topics in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) field, which is an intersection of different sciences including computer science, cognitive and social psychology. The interaction between the user and the computer takes place on the user interface using appropriate hardware and software. In this field, the current PhD dissertation studies alternative ways of interaction, using the appropriate means and examines their application in an educational environment. An alternative way of interaction, from an input and output of information perspective, is considered a more “natural” way, based on the interaction between humans. Gestures are used for the input of information, while in terms of output, information is presented as multimedia content. In this PhD thesis, educational games have been designed and developed in C# programming language and Kinect’s 3D camera has been utilised to use gestures as a way of interaction between the user and the computer. The developed solution is used as a vessel to examine topics related to the learner’s learning style, the assessment of learning difficulties and the emotional user experience. Gestures are used as the input communication channel, with the intention of both enhancing user participation and also collecting key performance and assessment indicators.
Advisory Committee
Supervisor: Achilles Kameas, Professor of School of Science and Technology of the Hellenic Open University
Michalis Xenos, Professor of Computer Engineering and Informatics Department of the University of Patras
Dimosthenis Akoumianakis, Professor of Informatics Engineer Department of School of Engineering of the Technological Educational Institute of Crete