Research Targets Computer Distractions Such as AIM

[Jeff]

Danny Frye
February 18, 2005

For students, the societal shift toward electronic media means more distractions, more time lost and more unfinished homework.

Ben Bederson, a computer interface designer at the University of Maryland, has focused his attention on creating a distraction-free interface to keep computer users on task.

"When you are doing a lot of work and people start talking to you even when you put up an away message, it can get annoying," Christopher Rhoades, a senior in mechanical engineering, said when asked about the distractions provided by AOL Instant Messenger.

According to 2004 survey statistics provided by ResNet, N.C. State's on-campus Internet provider, approximately 94 percent of students surveyed felt as though their ResNet service "had a positive impact on [their] ability to get [their] course work done."

Of those same students, more than 23 percent also said they believed that they "used computer network access to such a degree that it has hindered [their] academic success." The survey cited examples of possible distractions such as overuse of multi-player games, AIM, IRC (Internet Relay Chat) and e-mail.

Jordan Brown, a freshman in First Year College, doesn't seem to have a problem with computer distractions.

"I think it can be distracting, but I'm pretty disciplined, and I know I can turn [AIM] off," she said. "I check my e-mail through the Webmail site, so I don't get e-mail notifications."

To combat these distractions, Bederson said he hopes to protect what he refers to as "flow." This "flow" can be maintained or derailed depending on the ability of a program to hold an individual's focus.

Bederson explains how distracting a perceived "page jump" can be while scrolling through pages of text or Web site. By creating a smooth scroll function, the jump in the page will not be able to pull the focus off of a user's current task, and therefore will not disrupt his or her "flow."

Interface design cannot, however, overcome wandering attention alone. Other researchers are testing methods of e-mail detection that will only notify the user of previously agreed upon "important e-mails."

Though some poorly configured "smart" e-mail clients could easily circumvent this technology, other researchers are taking a more introspective approach.

Taking a page from the more organized computer users, Microsoft researchers are attempting to incorporate the cognitive state of a user into interface decisions.

By tracking movements of the mouse or keyboard and certain key moments of interaction, software manufacturers will be able to determine what times are best for displaying potentially distracting notifications, such as immediately following a document save.

Source: technicianonline.com

[Tigerblade]

how very true... as i'm sitting here reading this article and posting this comment, instead of doing what i should be doing - studying for my three upcoming exams. yeah, its a huge distraction, but one i cant seem to tear myself away from.

[Fanatic]

Distraction? Studying is the distraction. It keeps me from posting here at BBB!

[Oreo]

Hee hee hee....procrastination and college go hand in glove. But I know when my students ask how they can improve their grades (don't get too mad at me for this Jeff :D) I tell them to turn off IM while they are studying. We had a discussion in class about what they did while studying...ALMOST ALL of them said they had IM on while they were studying....along with the TV and telephone....but even if all of the others were away...IM is always there. Unless you are quizzing each other over the PC in preparation for a test...IM is too tempting to resist! I mean...who can say no to that little window that pops up or little warnings that some one is online?