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Antonio Giardi

University of Siena / Università di Siena, Dipartimento di Scienze Sociali, Politiche e Cognitive, Post-Doc

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Antonio Giardi is a technical research at the University of Siena - Department of Social, Political and Cognitive Sciences.
* Graduated in "Philosophy" - "Human and Social Sciences" sector - "Psychological" address - at the University of Siena (110/110 with honors) with a thesis entitled "Analysis Models of human activity for the interactive systems design".
* He completed his PhD in "Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunications" - address "Telematics and Information Society" - curriculum "Telematic Applications" at the University of Florence.
* He is interested in communication, video production and content design for Mobile Learning.
* He is Honorary Fellowship in "Digital Communication" - Master's Degree in "Communication Strategies and Techniques" and in "Video and Graphic Production" - Bachelor's Degree in "Communication Sciences" (Disciplinary Scientific Sector ING-ING/05 - "Information processing systems") at the Department of Social, Political and Cognitive Sciences.
* He is technical manager of Multimedia Communication Laboratory (MCL) at the University of Siena.
E-mail: antonio.giardi@unisi.it
Phone: +390577235132
Address: Complesso San Niccolò - Via Roma 56, 53100 Siena, Italy

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Papers by Antonio Giardi

Evaluate children’s User eXperience with AttrakDiff method: USiena experience

Form@re : Open Journal per la Formazione in Rete, 2019

The objective of this paper is to share the results of a pilot study conducted by the University ... more The objective of this paper is to share the results of a pilot study conducted by the University of Siena in collaboration with the “Renato Fucini” Comprehensive Institute. The aim has been to evaluate the User eXperience of 96 children using two different educational formats, the Frontal Teaching and the Multimedia Teaching. Six between subjects experiments have been carried out. At the end of each experiment a multiple-choice questionnaire (learning level evaluation) and the AttrakDiff questionnaire (UX evaluation) have been used. On the values obtained from multiple-choice questionnaire the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test has been applied. The study results highlighted two aspects: the learning level of Multimedia Teaching format has been slightly better than Frontal Teaching format, the UX related to Multimedia Teaching format has been basically similar for all children while the own teacher presence has influenced the Frontal Teaching format UX. Valutare la User eXperience dei bam...

IMPORTANCE OF USER-CENTERED DESIGN: "iTunesU Siena" EXPERIENCE

In this article I add a further testimony in favor of the use of User-Centered Design methodology... more In this article I add a further testimony in favor of the use of User-Centered Design methodology in the design of computer systems. The experience that I bring is based on three experimentations carried out before placing on-line platform “iTunesU Siena” (analysis and design, development of a prototype, the prototype evaluation, redesign of the platform, deploying a second prototype, new evaluation , platform release). Adopt the UCD and add it within the processes of design requires, for a company, both a change of mentality and a change in procedures. Thanks to the design User-Centred can “evolve”, questioning their rigidity and become more flexible companies.

“USiena” vs “only video”: comparing the two models for a mobile course design

The aim of the research is to investigate how the technological tools that support traditional te... more The aim of the research is to investigate how the technological tools that support traditional teaching methods (such as the video files recorded by the lecturer) help learners to study improving their evaluations for examinations. Starting from multimedia learning theories, a mobile course model has been designed using the User-Centered Design methodology (USiena) and the experimental method has been used to carry out a &quot;pilot study&quot; with 32 students. The goal of experimentation was to compare learning results through four experiments, performed in a &quot;mobility environment&quot; (an outdoor area near the university building, using an iPad with &quot;iTunesU App&quot; installed). The experimental hypothesis was that USiena model would favor the contents transmission, compared to a model that only provides for the - lecturer vision that explains (Sparring). The experimentation results have confirmed this hypothesis: students who used USiena model have obtained an average score of 26/30, against a 22/30 rating for the &quot;video-only&quot; model.

Mobile learning: a comparison of knowledge acquisition between two mobile course models

Form@re : Open Journal per la Formazione in Rete, 2016

Mobile has become the preferred way for internet access. This important change has generated tran... more Mobile has become the preferred way for internet access. This important change has generated transformations “equally important” in education and teaching fields, significantly increasing the importance of mobile learning. Using the User-Centered Design and Participatory Planning methodologies, 20 university students were involved in the mobile course model design, defined as “USiena model”. The objective of this research was to compare the model course designed with a model course used by other institutions present in iTunesU platform, hereinafter described as a “Sparring model”. Using the experimental method, 32 students were involved in a “pilot study” built to evaluate the learning level of both models, comparing the knowledge acquired by learners. The experimental hypothesis was that the USiena model, compared to the Sparring model, would facilitate the contents transmission to learners improving learning. The results of the experimentation confirmed our hypothesis. Mobile lea...

Mobile learning: partire da un’analisi della letteratura esistente per comprendere i fattori che ne possono influenzare l’adozione

L'obiettivo del presente articolo è quello di mettere a disposizione dei ricercatori che si occup... more L'obiettivo del presente articolo è quello di mettere a disposizione dei ricercatori che si occupano di Information and Communications Technology (ICT), didattica e apprendimento i risultati di una ricerca bibliografica sul mobile learning al 31 dicembre 2016. Partendo dai risultati di questa ricerca sono state analizzate alcune opere di revisione della letteratura. Le conclusioni emerse in tali opere sono state raggruppate in sei categorie, comparate con le conclusioni di altre pubblicazioni che trattavano le stesse tematiche in un'ottica mobile e integrate con alcune considerazioni personali dell'autore, in modo da comprendere i fattori che possono influenzare la decisione di adottare il mobile learning. Il fine conclusivo è quello di contribuire al dibattito in corso sull'innovazione basata sulla tecnologia, al fine di favorire un ulteriore dialogo e uno scambio di conoscenze tra la pratica didattica e la ricerca in materia d'istruzione.

Progettazione e valutazione di un format per il mobile learning: il caso iTunesU Siena

User-Centered Design applicata ad un corso mobile: il format “USiena”

Qwerty - Open and Interdisciplinary Journal of Technology, Culture and Education

L'obiettivo del presente articolo è quello di condividere l'esperienza maturata in Ateneo relativ... more L'obiettivo del presente articolo è quello di condividere l'esperienza maturata in Ateneo relativa alla progettazione del format USiena, che verrà utilizzato come base per la realizzazione di un corso mobile prototipale. La metodologia utilizzata per la progettazione è lo User-Centered Design attuato mediante tecniche quali focus group, interviste, questionari e test sugli studenti. I feedback ottenuti da questi test hanno permesso di sviluppare delle linee guida che verranno utilizzate durante la fase di design del corso. Il format progettato è stato verificato in via sperimentale, valutando il livello di apprendimento tramite questionari a risposte multiple. Pur trattandosi soltanto di alcuni studi pilota, i risultati ottenuti hanno evidenziato come l'utilizzo del format abbia aiutato i discenti a realizzare quella rete di relazioni sociali e connessioni reciproche che ha permesso a ciascuno di loro di costruire le proprie architetture conoscitive sugli argomenti trattati migliorando l'apprendimento.

Form@re -Open Journal per la formazione in rete Evaluate children's User eXperience with AttrakDiff method: USiena experience Valutare la User eXperience dei bambini con il metodo AttrakDiff: l'esperienza USiena

Form@re – Open Journal per la formazione in rete, 2019

The objective of this paper is to share the results of a pilot study conducted by the University ... more The objective of this paper is to share the results of a pilot study conducted by the University of Siena in collaboration with the "Renato Fucini" Comprehensive Institute. The aim has been to evaluate the User eXperience of 96 children using two different educational formats, the Frontal Teaching and the Multimedia Teaching. Six between subjects experiments have been carried out. At the end of each experiment a multiple-choice questionnaire (learning level evaluation) and the AttrakDiff questionnaire (UX evaluation) have been used. On the values obtained from multiple-choice questionnaire the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test has been applied. The study results highlighted two aspects: the learning level of Multimedia Teaching format has been slightly better than Frontal Teaching format, the UX related to Multimedia Teaching format has been basically similar for all children while the own teacher presence has influenced the Frontal Teaching format UX. L'obiettivo di questo articolo è di condividere i risultati di uno studio pilota condotto dall'Università di Siena in collaborazione con l'Istituto Comprensivo "Renato Fucini". Lo scopo è stato quello di valutare la User eXperience di 96 bambini utilizzando due diversi format educativi: Didattica frontale e Didattica multimediale. Sono stati effettuati sei esperimenti fra campioni diversi. Alla fine di ogni esperimento sono stati utilizzati un questionario a scelta multipla (valutazione del livello di apprendimento) e il questionario AttrakDiff (valutazione della UX). Sui valori ottenuti dal questionario a scelta multipla è stato applicato il test di Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney. I risultati dello studio hanno evidenziato due aspetti: il livello di apprendimento del format Didattica multimediale è stato leggermente migliore rispetto al format Didattica frontale, la UX relativa al format Didattica multimediale è stata sostanzialmente simile per tutti i bambini mentre la presenza della propria maestra ha influenzato la UX del format Didattica frontale. Parole chiave: User eXperience; valutazione della UX; AttrakDiff; contenuto multimediale; confronto fra formati.

Experience User-Centered Design applicata ad un corso mobile: Il format "USiena"

QWERTY, 2019

L'obiettivo del presente articolo è quello di condividere l'esperienza maturata in Ateneo relativ... more L'obiettivo del presente articolo è quello di condividere l'esperienza maturata in Ateneo relativa alla progettazione del format USiena, che verrà utilizzato come base per la realizzazione di un corso mobile prototipale. La metodologia utilizzata per la progettazione è lo User-Centered Design attuato mediante tecniche quali focus group, interviste, questionari e test sugli studenti. I feedback ottenuti da questi test hanno permesso di sviluppare delle linee gui-da che verranno utilizzate durante la fase di design del corso. Il format proget-tato è stato verificato in via sperimentale, valutando il livello di apprendimen-to tramite questionari a risposte multiple. Pur trattandosi soltanto di alcuni studi pilota, i risultati ottenuti hanno evidenziato come l'utilizzo del format abbia aiutato i discenti a realizzare quella rete di relazioni sociali e connessioni reciproche che ha permesso a ciascuno di loro di costruire le proprie architet-ture conoscitive sugli argomenti trattati migliorando l'apprendimento. Abstract The objective of this article is to share the experience gained in the University concerning the design of the USiena format, which will be used as a basis

iTunesU e modello «USiena»: una nuova prospettiva per l’apprendimento in mobilità degli studenti con dislessia?

Dislessia, ISSN: 1724-9767, 2016

The aim of this paper is to focus the reader’s attention on the «mobile» use of iTunesU and the «... more The aim of this paper is to focus the reader’s attention on the «mobile» use of iTunesU and the «USiena» model, as future compensatory tools. Starting from multimedia learning theories, a mobile course model was designed (the «USiena» model) and an experimental method was used to carry out a «pilot study» with 32 dyslexic students. The goal of the experimentation was to investigate how iTunesU, associated with the «USiena» model, influences learning. The experimental hypothesis was that the proposed design solution would favour content transmission compared to the «talking book» (similar to a model defined in the article as «Audio Only»), improving learning and thus (iTunesU and the «USiena» model) proving a potential compensatory tool for the future. Two video contents were produced (with the «USiena» model) and two audio contents were recorded, then the level of learning was compared («USiena» vs. «Audio Only»). The obtained results confirmed the experimental hypothesis.

Mobile learning: partire da un'analisi della letteratura esistente per comprendere i fattori che ne possono influenzare l'adozione

Mondo Digitale, ISSN: 1720-898X, 2019

The aim of this paper is to make available to researchers involved in Information and Communicati... more The aim of this paper is to make available to researchers involved in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), teaching and learning the results of a bibliographic research on mobile learning at 31 December 2016. Starting from the results of this research some literature review works have been analyzed. The conclusions emerged in these works have been grouped into six categories, compared with the conclusions of other publications dealing with the same topics in a mobile perspective and integrated with some personal considerations of the author, to understand the factors that may influence the decision to adopt mobile learning. The final purpose is to contribute to ongoing debate on technology-based innovation, in order to promote further discussion and knowledge exchange between teaching practice and educational research.

Design e Implementazione: progettare l'interazione in una piattaforma iTunesU

Mondo Digitale, ISSN: 1720-898X, 2017

Sommario La progettazione di un oggetto complesso è un'attività molto importante. Produrre un art... more Sommario La progettazione di un oggetto complesso è un'attività molto importante. Produrre un artefatto poco intuitivo e scarsamente usabile può significare decretarne in anticipo l'insuccesso. In fase di design, è fondamentale utilizzare una metodologia che veda nell'utente finale il "fulcro" della progettazione. Il presente lavoro vuole offrire un contributo in questa direzione mostrando, attraverso tre sperimentazioni, come è stata progettata e implementata la piattaforma iTunesU Siena seguendo la metodologia User-Centered Design. Abstract The design of a complex object is a very important activity. Produce an unintuitive and poorly usable artifact can mean declare in advance his failure. In the design phase is essential to follow a methodology that sees the end user the "core" of the design. This paper aims make a contribution in this direction by showing, through three experimentation, how was designed and implemented the iTunesU Siena platform following the User-Centered Design methodology.

Mobile learning: una comparazione sull’acquisizione della conoscenza utilizzando due modelli di corso

Form@re – Open Journal per la formazione in rete, ISSN: 1825-7321, 2016

Mobile has become the preferred way for internet access. This important change has generated tran... more Mobile has become the preferred way for internet access. This important change has generated transformations “equally important” in education and teaching fields, significantly increasing the importance of mobile learning. Using the User-Centered Design and Participatory Planning methodologies, 20 university students were involved in the mobile course model design, defined as “USiena model”. The objective of this research was to compare the model course designed with a model course used by other institutions present in iTunesU platform, hereinafter described as a “Sparring model”. Using the experimental method, 32 students were involved in a “pilot study” built to evaluate the learning level of both models, comparing the knowledge acquired by learners. The experimental hypothesis was that the USiena model, compared to the Sparring model, would facilitate the contents transmission to learners improving learning. The results of the experimentation confirmed our hypothesis.

User-Centered Design in a mobile learning course

SCIREA Journal of Education, 2016

Mobile learning (or M-learning) is a blend derived from mobile and e-learning presupposing the us... more Mobile learning (or M-learning) is a blend derived from mobile and e-learning presupposing the use of mobile technology to facilitate the learning process. The success of a "mobile course" is influenced by many factors, first of all the fact of being "in motion". To implement a course is essential to define the most appropriate course model to use. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how a "mobile course model" has been designed and implemented using the User-Centered Design and participatory planning methodology. Four experimentations were carried out, in which 20 university students were involved, which have led to production of some "guidelines" to be followed for the construction of a mobile course. As today's students organize a course for tomorrow's students.

“USiena” vs “only video”: comparing the two models for a mobile course design

SCIREA Journal of Education, 2016

The aim of the research is to investigate how the technological tools that support traditional te... more The aim of the research is to investigate how the technological tools that support traditional teaching methods (such as the video files recorded by the lecturer) help learners to study improving their evaluations for examinations. Starting from multimedia learning theories, a mobile course model has been designed using the User-Centered Design methodology (USiena) and the experimental method has been used to carry out a "pilot study" with 32 students. The goal of experimentation was to compare learning results through four experiments, performed in a "mobility environment" (an outdoor area near the university building, using an iPad with "iTunesU App" installed). The experimental hypothesis was that USiena model would favor the contents transmission, compared to a model that only provides for the - lecturer vision that explains (Sparring). The experimentation results have confirmed this hypothesis: students who used USiena model have obtained an average score of 26/30, against a 22/30 rating for the "video-only" model.

Engage students with dyslexia in video-based learning activities

SCIREA Journal of Safety Science and Technology, 2016

The aim of this paper is to focus reader's attention on “mobile” use of iTunesU and USiena model,... more The aim of this paper is to focus reader's attention on “mobile” use of iTunesU and USiena model, as future compensatory tools. Starting from multimedia learning theories, a mobile course model has been designed (USiena model) and the experimental method has been used to carry out a “pilot study” with 32 dyslexic students. The goal of experimentation was to investigate how iTunesU associated with USiena model influences learning. The experimental hypothesis was that the proposed design solution would favor the contents transmission compared to the "talking book" improving learning and proposing (iTunesU and USiena model) as a possible compensatory tool for the future. Two audio contents have been recorded, two video contents have been produced (with USiena model) and the learning level has been compared. The obtained results confirmed the experimental hypothesis.

Importance of User-Centered Design: "iTunesU Siena" experience

International Journal of Engineering Technology and Scientific Innovation, ISSN: 2456-1851, 2016

In this article I add a further testimony in favor of the use of User-Centered Design methodology... more In this article I add a further testimony in favor of the use of User-Centered Design methodology in the design of computer systems. The experience that I bring is based on three experimentations carried out before placing on-line platform "iTunesU Siena" (analysis and design, development of a prototype, the prototype evaluation, redesign of the platform, deploying a second prototype, new evaluation , platform release). Adopt the UCD and add it within the processes of design requires, for a company, both a change of mentality and a change in procedures. Thanks to the design User-Centred can "evolve", questioning their rigidity and become more flexible companies.

Conference Presentations by Antonio Giardi

Which factors may influence child User eXperience in distance learning?

Proceedings of Didamatica Informatica per la Didattica - Atti Convegno Nazionale Didamatica 2020 "Smarter School for Smart Cities",Trieste, Italia, 12-13 novembre 2020, 2020

The objective of this paper is to share the results of a “pilot study” conducted by the Universit... more The objective of this paper is to share the results of a “pilot study” conducted by the University of Siena in collaboration with the “Renato Fucini” Comprehensive Institute. 96 children (42 males and 54 females), aged between 9 and 10 years attending the fifth grades of primary school, took part in the experimentation. Two different educational formats have been used in the study, the “Frontal Teaching” and the “Multimedia Teaching”. Six between subjects experiments have been carried out. At the end of each experiment a multiple-choice questionnaire (learning level evaluation) and the AttrakDiff questionnaire (UX evaluation) have been used. Starting from UX role, a new analysis on experimental research results published in 2019 has been carried out. The research question related to the new data analysis has been “Which factors have positively influenced the pupils’ UX perceptions in Multimedia Teaching?”. The main factors identified have been six, confirming the results of other experimental research, confirming the results of other experimental research.

I dispositivi mobili rappresentano veramente un’opportunità per migliorare l’apprendimento?

Proceedings of Didamatica 2019 - BYOD, realtà aumentata e virtuale: opportunità o minaccia per la formazione?, Reggio Calabria, Italia, 16-17 maggio 2019, 2019

Negli ultimi anni il numero di persone che utilizzano internet è cresciuto in maniera significati... more Negli ultimi anni il numero di persone che utilizzano internet è cresciuto in maniera significativa (57% della popolazione mondiale) così come è cresciuto il numero di persone che utilizzano i dispositivi mobili (67%). Questi cambiamenti hanno influenzato anche il modo in cui acquisiamo nuove conoscenze, in quanto tali dispositivi permettono di accedere a una varietà notevole di informazioni rimanendo “sempre” e “ovunque” connessi. Partendo da una meta-analisi condotta sulla piattaforma Scopus, sono stati esaminati i principali aspetti positivi e negativi dell’apprendimento in mobilità con l’ausilio dei propri dispositivi, sia in ambito didattico che lavorativo. L’obiettivo finale è quello di contribuire al dibattito in corso sull’utilità di questi strumenti, visti come dispositivi in grado di migliorare l’apprendimento.