title: I want my IoT – end-user developers and the Internet of Things

authors: García Ferrari, Tomás

subjects: End-User Development (EUD)

abstract: The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled seamless data capturing, processing, and analysis from the physical world and remote control of interconnected devices. However, due to complex development processes, its potential remains largely untapped by non-expert users. This thesis investigates technical, conceptual, and practical barriers that limit non-expert end-user developers from creating bespoke IoT projects. 

Based on the premise that simplifying IoT development and providing targeted support can democratise access, this research explores strategies to help end users create and manage IoT projects integrated into their daily lives. To address this, the thesis explores four research areas: the barriers end-user developers encounter when creating custom IoT solutions, the effectiveness of ideation tools in supporting their development process, the challenges involved in assembling and programming IoT systems, and the strategies that enhance effective troubleshooting. 

A review of the literature reveals that, while substantial research has focused on the technical dimensions of IoT, relatively little attention has been given to making these technologies accessible to non-experts. To bridge this gap, the thesis employs a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, a longitudinal case study, and three user studies to explore the experiences of non-expert users with IoT technologies. The findings highlight that the lack of intuitive tools and resources is a significant barrier to user engagement and project completion. 

The results underscore the importance of user-centred design in developing IoT support tools and demonstrate that non-experts can effectively create and manage IoT projects with appropriate guidance and resources. However, challenges remain, such as enhancing troubleshooting support and developing intuitive interfaces. 

This thesis argues that the future of IoT lies in designing accessible tools and systems for a broader audience, with significant implications for inclusivity and ease of use. Future research should focus on refining these tools, understanding the cognitive processes of end-user development, and exploring new methods for integrating IoT into everyday life. This work contributes to developing a more inclusive IoT ecosystem accessible to all users, regardless of their technical expertise.

text: I want my IoT – end-user developers and the Internet of Things The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled seamless data capturing, processing, and analysis from the physical world and remote control of interconnected devices. However, due to complex development processes, its potential remains largely untapped by non-expert users. This thesis investigates technical, conceptual, and practical barriers that limit non-expert end-user developers from creating bespoke IoT projects. 

Based on the premise that simplifying IoT development and providing targeted support can democratise access, this research explores strategies to help end users create and manage IoT projects integrated into their daily lives. To address this, the thesis explores four research areas: the barriers end-user developers encounter when creating custom IoT solutions, the effectiveness of ideation tools in supporting their development process, the challenges involved in assembling and programming IoT systems, and the strategies that enhance effective troubleshooting. 

A review of the literature reveals that, while substantial research has focused on the technical dimensions of IoT, relatively little attention has been given to making these technologies accessible to non-experts. To bridge this gap, the thesis employs a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, a longitudinal case study, and three user studies to explore the experiences of non-expert users with IoT technologies. The findings highlight that the lack of intuitive tools and resources is a significant barrier to user engagement and project completion. 

The results underscore the importance of user-centred design in developing IoT support tools and demonstrate that non-experts can effectively create and manage IoT projects with appropriate guidance and resources. However, challenges remain, such as enhancing troubleshooting support and developing intuitive interfaces. 

This thesis argues that the future of IoT lies in designing accessible tools and systems for a broader audience, with significant implications for inclusivity and ease of use. Future research should focus on refining these tools, understanding the cognitive processes of end-user development, and exploring new methods for integrating IoT into everyday life. This work contributes to developing a more inclusive IoT ecosystem accessible to all users, regardless of their technical expertise.

year: 2024

title: An interview: Making art as a dialogue with materials, moments and motivations

authors: Price, Graham

abstract: Graham Price has worked extensively in primary, secondary and tertiary art education in Otago (1976–1997) and since 2000 in pre-service secondary and primary art education within the University of Waikato arts education team. He has experience in developing art education resources, Waikato professional development programmes, and the development of visual art assessment in primary schools through the National Education Monitoring Project 1995–2008. His research interests include arts integration, the history of art education in New Zealand and how students talk about art. His own artwork spans painting, jewellery and sculptural responses to calligraphy. He actively participates in a cappella choral performance.
In this piece Graham shares his views and his approach to art making.

text: An interview: Making art as a dialogue with materials, moments and motivations Graham Price has worked extensively in primary, secondary and tertiary art education in Otago (1976–1997) and since 2000 in pre-service secondary and primary art education within the University of Waikato arts education team. He has experience in developing art education resources, Waikato professional development programmes, and the development of visual art assessment in primary schools through the National Education Monitoring Project 1995–2008. His research interests include arts integration, the history of art education in New Zealand and how students talk about art. His own artwork spans painting, jewellery and sculptural responses to calligraphy. He actively participates in a cappella choral performance.
In this piece Graham shares his views and his approach to art making.

year: 2017

title: Kia mate rā anō a Tama-nui-te-rā: reversing language shift in Kōhanga reo

authors: Skerrett White, Mere Ngāutauta

abstract: This thesis focuses on reversing language shift (RLS) efforts via the revernacularisation of te reo Māori (the Māori language) in Te Amokura Kōhanga Reo (Māori language nest). J. Fishman’s (2001a) graded intergenerational disruption scale (GIDS), and M. Durie’s (2001, 2003) discussions on Māori educational advancement provide conceptual frameworks for the meaning-making, cultural and symbolic relationships of language to culture and identity (Fishman, 1996). This qualitative case study involves three young children and their families who are committed to the intergenerational transmission of te reo Māori, the threatened indigenous heritage language of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Observational data was analysed illustrating these bilingual, biliterate, bicultural, bicognitive and bilateral children and their use of sophisticated language for increasingly complex purposes. This study identifies how children’s learning dispositions for shared reference with adults (who are active listeners and thoughtful speakers in meaningful activities [Carr, M., 2000, 2001]) are part of the deep structure of a unique cultural context successfully supporting language revernacularisation. In addition the study develops critical insights into how RLS can be viewed as the linguistic arm for furthering Māori aspirations of tino rangatiratanga (Bishop, R., 1997a; Bishop R., & Glynn, T., 1999) and has further implications for language planning, pedagogy and praxis in Kōhanga Reo.

text: Kia mate rā anō a Tama-nui-te-rā: reversing language shift in Kōhanga reo This thesis focuses on reversing language shift (RLS) efforts via the revernacularisation of te reo Māori (the Māori language) in Te Amokura Kōhanga Reo (Māori language nest). J. Fishman’s (2001a) graded intergenerational disruption scale (GIDS), and M. Durie’s (2001, 2003) discussions on Māori educational advancement provide conceptual frameworks for the meaning-making, cultural and symbolic relationships of language to culture and identity (Fishman, 1996). This qualitative case study involves three young children and their families who are committed to the intergenerational transmission of te reo Māori, the threatened indigenous heritage language of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Observational data was analysed illustrating these bilingual, biliterate, bicultural, bicognitive and bilateral children and their use of sophisticated language for increasingly complex purposes. This study identifies how children’s learning dispositions for shared reference with adults (who are active listeners and thoughtful speakers in meaningful activities [Carr, M., 2000, 2001]) are part of the deep structure of a unique cultural context successfully supporting language revernacularisation. In addition the study develops critical insights into how RLS can be viewed as the linguistic arm for furthering Māori aspirations of tino rangatiratanga (Bishop, R., 1997a; Bishop R., & Glynn, T., 1999) and has further implications for language planning, pedagogy and praxis in Kōhanga Reo.

year: 2003