Constructivism, virtual reality and tools to support design

This paper describes a process for creating a design tool, which is based in constructivism. The process is described for the creation of a tool to help novices in designing virtual environment interactions, however it can be generalized to other design domains. The process consists of four steps: first constructivist values of atomic simplicity, multiplicity, exploration, control and reflection are distilled. Next, expert practices are researched and reframed in terms of the constructivist values. Thirdly, novice processes are examined and understood in constructivist terms. Lastly, prototypes are created and shown to target users. These steps are iterated until the designed tool is satisfactory. Categories and Subject Descriptors H.5.2 [Information interfaces and presentation]: User interfaces

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: ACMDIS
• Authors: Cara Winterbottom, Edwin H. Blake
• Keywords: ACMDIS 2008, Constructivist Values, Human Computer Interaction, Information Interfaces, Virtual Environment Interactions