The design, development, and deployment of a tabletop interface for collaborative exploration of genomic data

  • Authors:

  • O. Shaer;M. Strait;C. Valdes;H. Wang;T. Feng;M. Lintz;M. Ferreirae;C. Grote;K. Tempel;S. Liu

  • Affiliations:

  • Wellesley College, 106 Central St. Wellesley, MA 02481, USA;Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA;Wellesley College, 106 Central St. Wellesley, MA 02481, USA;Wellesley College, 106 Central St. Wellesley, MA 02481, USA;Wellesley College, 106 Central St. Wellesley, MA 02481, USA;Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA, USA;Wellesley College, 106 Central St. Wellesley, MA 02481, USA;Wellesley College, 106 Central St. Wellesley, MA 02481, USA;Wellesley College, 106 Central St. Wellesley, MA 02481, USA;Wellesley College, 106 Central St. Wellesley, MA 02481, USA

  • Venue:
  • International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
  • Year:
  • 2012

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Abstract

In this paper, we reflect on the design, development, and deployment of G-nome Surfer; a multi-touch tabletop user interface for collaborative exploration of genomic data. G-nome Surfer lowers the threshold for using advanced bioinformatics tools, reduces the mental workload associated with manipulating genomic information, and fosters effective collaboration. We describe our two-year-long effort from design strategy to iterations of design, development, and evaluation. This paper presents four main contributions: (1) a set of design requirements for supporting collaborative exploration in data-intensive domains, (2) the design, implementation, and validation of a multi-touch tabletop interface for collaborative exploration, (3) a methodology for evaluating the strengths and limitations of tabletop interaction for collaborative exploration, and (4) empirical evidence for the feasibility and value of integrating tabletop interaction in college-level education.