Papers by Gennaro COSTAGLIOLA
Journal of Web Engineering, Mar 1, 2008
Standardization efforts in e-learning are mainly aimed at achieving interoperability among Learni... more Standardization efforts in e-learning are mainly aimed at achieving interoperability among Learning Management Systems (LMSs) and Learning Object (LO) authoring tools. In particular, the main standard producers are giving special attention to a set of functionalities, referred to as Computer Managed Instruction (CMI) and also known as SCORM Run-Time Environment. Their adoption is crucial in the achievement of full interoperability among LMSs and LO authoring tools since they allow LOs to be launched in the LMS and to exchange data with it. Even desirable, standard compliancy and guideline adoption are difficult to obtain for LMS producers. This paper presents two design solutions aimed at boosting the adoption of CMI functionalities in Object-Oriented and Message-Oriented LMS systems, respectively. The former is a framework, named CMIFramework, which allows LMS developers to rapidly adopt CMI functionalities in Object-Oriented systems. The latter is a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)based reference model for offering the CMI functionalities as a service, external to the LMS. We investigate several case studies concerning the adoption of CMI functionalities, using our solutions, in different e-learning contexts.
Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems, 2006
An effective menu organization is fundamental to obtain usable applications. A common practice to... more An effective menu organization is fundamental to obtain usable applications. A common practice to achieve this is to adopt empirical methods in the menu design phase, by requesting a number of intended final users to provide their ideal tasks arrangements. However, to improve the effectiveness of this approach, it is necessary to filter results, by identifying and discarding data coming from subjects whose mental models are too weak on the considered domain. To this aim, in the paper, we propose a formal tool suited to support menu designers, which is based on a fuzzy-based distance we defined. This measure can be easily calculated on the empirical datasets, thanks to a specifically conceived supporting application we developed. As a result, by exploiting the proposed solution, menu designers can rely on a formal tool to evaluate significance of empirical data, thus leading towards more effective menu clustering.
A COSMIC-FFP approach to predict web application development effort
Journal of Web Engineering, Jun 1, 2006
Abstract We describe an approach to predict Web application development effort, which is based on... more Abstract We describe an approach to predict Web application development effort, which is based on the main ideas underlying COSMIC-FFP (Cosmic Full Function Point). The method is focused on counting data movements and turns out to be suitable for capturing the specific aspects of dynamic Web applications, which are characterized by data movements to and from Web servers. It is based on two measures that can be applied to analysis and design documentation in order to provide early estimations. We also describe the empirical ...
Multimedia Tools and Applications, 2021
In this paper, we present ParVis, an interactive visual system for the animated visualization of ... more In this paper, we present ParVis, an interactive visual system for the animated visualization of logged parser trace executions. The system allows a parser implementer to create a visualizer for generated parsers by simply defining a JavaScript module that maps each logged parser instruction into a set of events driving the visual system interface. The result is a set of interacting graphical/text windows that allows users to explore logged parser executions and helps them to have a complete understanding of how the parser behaves during its execution on a given input. We used our system to visualize the behavior of textual as well as visual parsers and describe here two of these uses. Moreover, in order to validate the efficacy of our system, we ran a user experiment where students analyzed a CUP-generated parser both with ParVis, instantiated to LALR parsers, and the standard CUP debug facilities. The results show that students can indeed analyze parser behavior and find mistakes ...
Int. J. Softw. Informatics, 2015
In recent years there has been a growth in size and complexity of the projects managed by public ... more In recent years there has been a growth in size and complexity of the projects managed by public or private organizations. This leads to increased probability of project failures, frequently due to the difficulty and the ability to achieve the objectives such as on-time delivery, cost containment, expected quality achievement. In particular, one of the most common causes of project failure is the very high degree of uncertainty that affects the expected performance of the project, especially when different stakeholders with divergent aims and goals are involved in the project. To address the prevention and proactive handling of the potential controversies among project stakeholders we propose the 3DRC visualization technique and its prototypical implementation. The approach is based on 3D radar charts to allow easier and more immediate analysis and management of the project views giving a contribution in reducing the project uncertainty and, consequently, the risk of project failure. In order to explore its potentiality, the approach has been implemented by developing the 3DRC Tool, applied to a real case and validated with promising results through a user study.
Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Web Information Systems and Technologies, 2007
Content Management Systems and Web Portal Frameworks are more and more widely adopted in Web deve... more Content Management Systems and Web Portal Frameworks are more and more widely adopted in Web development. Those kinds of software often produce web pages whose layout is divided in sections called, in the case of Web Portals, "portlets". Portlets can be produced by different sources and then aggregated in the same page by the portal. For Web portals, traditional web metrics based on page visits can be inadequate for fully understanding user's interest, due to the heterogeneity of content and the variety of sources. This paper proposes a system for evaluating the web traffic at a deeper level than the page visit one: the level of the sections, or of the portlets. The interest of the user in the sections of the page is gauged through implicit interest indicators, such as, section visibility, mouse movements and other client-side interactions. Our system is composed of two different products: a framework that, opportunely instantiated in a web portal, allows the production of a log, and a log analyzer. The possible uses and benefits gained by research in the fields of web traffic analysis, portal design and usability are investigated in depth.
Journal of e-learning and knowledge society, 2009
In this paper we analyze the state of art of the assessment of students’ knowledge through online... more In this paper we analyze the state of art of the assessment of students’ knowledge through online tests. In particular, we describe the main functionalities currently implemented in the main existing online testing systems. Furthermore, we present a literary review of the most recently proposed techniques for using online tests in different application ambits, such as: Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT), automatic question generation, log data analysis, m-learning and educational gaming.
J. Vis. Lang. Comput., 2019
We present a study aimed at comparing different circular layouts for entering text on smartwatche... more We present a study aimed at comparing different circular layouts for entering text on smartwatches. In particular, we measured the extent through which the use of a QWERTY layout increases user performance in the earliest sessions of use. To this aim, we designed C-QWERTY, a soft keyboard designed for circular smartwatches in which the keys are arranged along the edge of the screen in a circular layout. In order to make the keyboard more familiar to users, the order of the keys is similar to the one of traditional rectangular QWERTY keyboards. The method supports two interaction modes: tapping and gesture, in which a whole word can be written with a single gesture. As an evaluation, we compared the C-QWERTY layout with Cirrin, another circular layout in witch the order of the characters has been optimized to minimize the distance between successive keys during writing. The experimental results showed that the C-QWERTY layout outperformed the Cirrin one with respect to the text entry speed with an average increase of 27 percent.
Question Selection from a Hierarchical Repository in a Computer Aided Assessment Tool
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption across the globe and put pressure on healthcare syste... more The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption across the globe and put pressure on healthcare systems. In order to limit the use of hospital resources, the use of home care and telehealth has been very important to minimize direct human intervention in monitoring patients. The purpose of this work is to present YouCare: a multiplatform application that allows the collection of medical data on the health status of the user in order to allow physicians to efficiently monitor the status of the patient. As an important feature, it includes functions to monitor the general situation through statistics and interactions with the other users of the application. This might make the isolation period less stressful while exchanging current COVID experiences. The use of the application has been experimented with a usability test, obtaining positive feedback from the users. We also report other similar applications that have been developed and used in different parts of the world.
CSEDU 2016 - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Computer Supported Education, Volume 1, Rome, Italy, April 21-23, 2016
The evaluation of interfaces for in-car communication and information applications is an importan... more The evaluation of interfaces for in-car communication and information applications is an important and challenging task. Indeed, it is necessary not only to consider the user interaction with the interface but also to understand the effects of this interaction on driver-vehicle performances. As a result, there is a strong need of tools and approaches that allow researchers to effectively evaluate such interfaces while user is driving. To address the problem in the paper we propose a framework that has been specifically conceived for such evaluation. It is based on the integration of a suitable car simulator and an in-car system and allows us to get a high amount of data and carry out repeatable tests in a safe and controlled environment. Moreover, the proposed solution is not much expensive and quite simple to set-up.
Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Pattern Recognition in Information Systems, 2004
The design of interfaces for automotive information systems is a critical task. In fact, in the v... more The design of interfaces for automotive information systems is a critical task. In fact, in the vehicular domain the user is busy in the primary task of the driving, and any visual distraction inducted by the telematic systems can bring to serious consequences. Since road safety is paramount, it is needed to define new interaction metaphors, not affecting the driver's visual workload, such as auditory interfaces. In this paper we propose an innovative automotive auditory interaction paradigm, whose main goals are not to require visual attention, to be smart for expert users, as well as easy to use for inexperienced users. This is achieved by a new atomic dialogue paradigm, based on a help-on-demand mechanism, to provide a vocal support to users in trouble. Finally, we present some examples of dialogue based on such approach.
A Metric for the Size Estimation of Object-Oriented Graphical User Interfaces
International Journal of Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering, 2000
In order to achieve quality products with reliable cost and effort estimations, one of the main t... more In order to achieve quality products with reliable cost and effort estimations, one of the main tasks for planning software project development is size estimation. This is especially true when dealing with interactive applications which represent critical components in a software project. In the paper, we address the problem of the size estimation of interactive graphical applications developed using the object-oriented methodology. In particular, we define and validate a metric, the Class Point metric, for estimating the size of object-oriented GUIs. The method is based on the idea of quantifying classes in a program analogous to function counting performed by the function point metric. Theoretical validation has proven the consistency of the Class Point metric as size measure. Empirical validation provides evidence that the Class Point metric is a useful measure for OO software size.
Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Distributed Multimedia Systems, 2016
Knots occur in many areas of science and art. The mathematical field of Knot Theory studies an id... more Knots occur in many areas of science and art. The mathematical field of Knot Theory studies an idealised form of knots by viewing them as closed loops in 3-space. They can be formally studied via knot drawings which are well-behaved projections of the knot onto the 2-D plane. Equivalence of knots in 3-space (ambient isotopy) can be encapsulated via sequences of diagram rewriting rules, called Reidemeister moves, but finding such sequences demonstrating isotopy of two knots can be immensely challenging. Whilst there are some sophisticated tools available for some knot theoretic tasks, there is limited (free) tool support for certain knot creation and interaction tasks, which could be useful for lecturers and students within University courses. We present KnotSketch, a tool with multiple functionalities including the ability to: (i) read off a form of Gauss code for a user sketched diagram; (ii) generate a diagram from such a code; (iii) regenerate a knot diagram via a different projection, thereby producing examples of equivalent knot diagrams that may look very different; (iv) interaction capabilities to quickly alter the knot via crossing changes and smooth the curves of the sketched diagram; (v) export facilities to generate svg images of the constructed knots. We evaluate KnotSketch via a case study demonstrating examples of intended usage within an educational setting. Furthermore, we performing a preliminary user study to evaluate the general usability of the tool.
Proceedings IEEE Symposia on Human-Centric Computing Languages and Environments (Cat. No.01TH8587)
Banking legacy systems intensively exchange messages in electronic format. Such systems are, for ... more Banking legacy systems intensively exchange messages in electronic format. Such systems are, for their nature, dificult lo update and maintain. As a consequence. the introduction ofnew types ofmessages is a hard task. In this paper we describe the architecture and part ofthe implementation of the SI.RE Visual System, an Interbanking Nehwrk Information System that lets us generate gateways for the exchange of electronic messages among banking legacy systems. In particular. the SI.RE. visual system contains a Visual Programming Environment (VPE) that allows us to obtain a rapid and secure development of the message handlingfunctions. VPE implements a Visual Programming Language UVG that supports reuse of COBOL routines. Such a UVC language has been developedfollowing a methodology here described that presents the great advantage I O be, mostly, performed in automatic way.
Using COSMIC-FFP for Predicting Web Application Development Effort
In this paper we present an experience on the application of visual language technology for manag... more In this paper we present an experience on the application of visual language technology for managing the complex task of Software Development and Maintenance. We introduce the system SEAMAN (Software Engineering Architecture MANager) and show a case study based on its application.
A 3D Interaction Metaphor for Remote Control of Smart Home Systems
An Evaluation of Web3d Technologies from Developer's and End-User's Point of View
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Papers by Gennaro COSTAGLIOLA