Interactive Visualizations of Transparent User Models for Self-Actualization: A Human-Centered Design Approach

Abstract

This contribution sheds light on the potential of transparent user models for self-actualization. It discusses the development of EDUSS, a conceptual framework for self-actualization goals of transparent user modeling. Drawing from a qualitative research approach, the framework investigates self-actualization from psychology and computer science disciplines and derives a set of self-actualization goals and mechanisms. Following a human-centered design (HCD) approach, the framework was applied in an iterative process to systematically design a set of interactive visualizations to help users achieve different self-actualization goals in the scientific research domain. For this purpose, an explainable user interest model within a recommender system is utilized to provide various information on how the interest models are generated from users’ publication data. The main contributions are threefold: First, a synthesis of research on self-actualization from different domains. Second, EDUSS, a theoretically-sound self-actualization framework for transparent user modeling consisting of five main goals, namely, Explore, Develop, Understand, Scrutinize, and Socialize. Third, an instantiation of the proposed framework to effectively design interactive visualizations that can support the different self-actualization goals, following an HCD approach.

A Toolbox for Modelling Engagement with Educational Videos

“…Visualisations To effectively present the learner state, nine different visualisations shown promising in prior work on user interaction (Guesmi et al 2022) have been developed. Figure 3 provides a preview of one of the common visualisations.…”

“…Our approach was guided by a thorough examination of seminal research on impactful learning visualisations. Among others, the interactive visualisations designed in our Python library takes into account the goals of selfactualisation as detailed in the EDUSS framework (Guesmi et al 2022). Additionally, the visualisations utilise userfriendly cues and conventions (colours/intensity of colour, shape size etc.)…”

“…The EDUSS framework-inspired visualisations support development by translating skill-level predictions into visual progress indicators encouraging continuous learning. Understanding is enhanced by providing insights into learners' interaction patterns, promoting selfawareness (Guesmi et al 2022). The transparency of the user model allows learners to scrutinise their learning progress and engage critically with the underlying data (while ways to provide this feedback to the model is still an open research area).…”

“…Building seamless compatibility with these utilities will enable the TrueLearn library to be adopted by a wider audience while minimising the development effort required to support such powerful features. While the visualisations implemented are timetested (Bull et al 2016;Guesmi et al 2022), their success with TrueLearn representations has room for rigorous understanding via user studies. The exclusive support of online learning algorithms can also be seen as a limitation of the current library as many batch learning algorithms are proposed for educational recommendation and engagement modelling (Lin and Chi 2016;Pardos et al 2012).…”

Activity Theory-based Ecosystem for Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED)

“…As the field of AIED advances, it is imperative to consider the increased impact of AIED on human values and educational practices (Renz & Vladova, 2021). The very essence of human-centered design principles should guide the development of AIED systems, ensuring alignment with the various learners' needs, learning goals, and values (Guesmi et al, 2022). Recognizing the unique qualities and abilities of human teachers, including their capacity for personal connection, emotional support, and real-time adaptability, underscores the complementary role that AI can play in education are also quite important and should not be neglected (Guilherme, 2019).…”