Energy is largely invisible to users. It has been argued that employing technologies to visualise energy will assist people in conserving energy. Energy visibility interventions have largely focussed on appliance use and electricity consumption. This thesis aims to firstly explore whether making heat visible, using thermal images, promotes heat (and thereby energy) conservation. Secondly using a multiple method approach, it explores how. Five studies were employed. Study One and Three investigated whether using thermal images as a tailored antecedent intervention would promote energy conservation behaviours. The results confirmed that the images led to a reduction in Kg CO2 emissions attributed to domestic energy use. Study One and Three indicated that householders undertook more energy saving behaviours in relation to those aspects that were visible in the images. These actions were attributed to simple, energy saving behaviours such as proofing draughts. Study Two investigated how people make sense of the images and how behaviours are promoted by the images. Study two suggested that the images provide a unique medium through which factors which contribute to energy saving can be combined and reasoned by the viewer. It suggests the psychological factors in a pathway from prompt to behaviour. Study Four established that showing the images in an information presentation was not as effective when influencing participants’ ideas about energy conservation. Finally, Study Five explored participants gaze and demonstrated how features of the images, can attract the viewer. The novel contribution of this thesis is in establishing that ‘making heat visible’ through a tailored thermal imaging prompt can increase the likelihood of a householder taking simple energy saving actions, by providing a novel medium through which householders attend to heat and energy use.

The aim of this work is to describe history of audio-visual technology and to analyse the influence of digitalization. The text describes the history of cinematography, television and also the introduction of audio-visual technology to people's homes. It contains information on present situation as well as new trends and the influence of the Internet on audio-visual making. There is a comparison of past and present technologies. The new technologies are accessible even for amateur creators which helps them to open new possibilities. This work is also focused on the influence of audio-visual technologies on the final look of the film. In practical part of this paper, author recommends specific technology suitable for certain target groups accordingly to their budget.

La realidad mixta, unificación de la realidad virtual y la realidad aumentada, posee muchas expectativas debido a las grandes tendencias que han surgido desde su creación y la forma en que ha fusionado casi en su totalidad a nuestro mundo real con el mundo digital, con la proyección de objetos digitales que estimulan los sentidos, logrando obtener una percepción similar a los objetos del entorno real y llevando su uso a múltiples posibilidades. En la investigación se identificó la problemática que aborda la necesidad de profundizar sobre las propiedades de la realidad mixta y los objetivos a trazar para cubrir con dicha necesidad. Durante el proyecto se logró recolectar información y crear un catálogo sobre los distintos tipos de aplicaciones, dispositivos y soluciones tecnológicas implementadas referente a la tecnología. Se investigó acerca de la parte teórica de la realidad mixta en base a las distintas definiciones del autor seminal y de expertos en la materia, además de las definiciones sobre las tecnologías con funcionalidades similares. Además, se procesó la información obtenida, identificando los rubros de negocio en donde se desempeña la realidad Mixta. Finalmente, se logró crear una taxonomía de realidad mixta y un gráfico estadístico de la participación de cada rubro de negocio en el mercado, con el fin de poder tener un panorama claro de la adopción y el valor comercial de cada rubro en donde se ejerce dicha tecnología y que pueda ser utilizado como referencia para la creación de proyectos de tecnología. / Mixed reality, the union of virtual reality and augmented reality, has high expectations due to the biggest trends that have emerged since its inception and the way in which it has almost entirely merged the real world with the digital world with the projection of digital objects that stimulate the senses, achieving a perception similar to the objects in the real environment and taking their use to multiple possibilities. The research identified the problem that addresses the need to delve into the properties of mixed reality and the objectives to be set in order to meet this need. During the project, information was collected in order to create a catalog on the different types of applications, devices and technological solutions implemented regarding that technology. The theoretical part of mixed reality was researched based on the different definitions given by authors and experts in the field, in addition to the definitions of technologies with similar functionalities. Moreover, the information obtained was processed, identifying the business areas where the mixed reality operates. Finally, it was possible to create a mixed reality taxonomy and a statistical graph of the participation of each business area in the market, for the purpose of being able to have a clear overview of the adoption and commercial value of each area where said technology is used and that can be employed as a reference for the creation of future technology projects. / Tesis

This thesis explores the potential of visual information and communication technologies (ICTs) for collaboration in emergency care. The thesis consists of four studies exploring future technology, 3D telepresence technology for medical consultation (3DMC), from several different methodological and analytical perspectives. Together the studies provide a broad view of the potential benefits, risks and implications of using visual technologies for collaboration in emergency care. The results show that paramedic-physician collaboration via 3DMC might have some benefits for patient care, both in the immediate patient care situation and beyond, for example, when coordinating transport and resources; improving understanding between different actors; and in developing paramedic competence and confidence in their skills. However, collaboration is heavily impacted by physicians’ and paramedics’ respective work practices which are situated in very different physical, professional and organizational contexts. Adding a visual dimension to this collaboration presents unique challenges for the overall design, development, implementation, and appropriation process. Thus, the thesis emphasizes the importance of understanding both the individual users as well as the complex overall image which, although often neglected or ignored, is crucial to understand when developing and introducing new technology that is successful and justified in the overall context while also being useful and meaningful for the individual users. / <p>Academic dissertation for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science at the University of Gothenburg and the University of Borås to be publicly defended on Thursday 19 September 2013 at 13:15 in the auditorium at Simonsland, University of Borås, Skaraborgsvägen 3, Borås.</p>

Young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face unique social skills challenges as they transition into independent living environments and seek fulfilling relationships within their communities. Research has focused on social education and interventions for children with autism, while transitioning young adults with ASD have received insufficient attention. The purpose of this multisite case study was to explore perceptions of school personnel related to the use of visual support system (VSS) technology and enhancement of social skillsets for young adults with ASD. Information processing theory and social learning theory provided the research framework. Research questions addressed perceptions related to the utility of VSS technology and social skills teaching strategies. Interviews were conducted with 11 special education administrators, teachers, and intervention specialists from 3 different programs in the United States. Data from interviews and field notes were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding; themes such as social skills, video-modeling, learning strategies, use of visual technology, and cognition emerged. Participants indicated that exploring cognitive learning strategies underpinned with VSS technology provided alternative methods to teach social skills in classroom settings. They identified the need for more funding for VSS technologies for all learners. Implications for social change include that social skills and critical thinking skills can be enhanced by learning through the use of VSS technology. Empowering young adults with ASD to participate with greater confidence in learning situations and in social situations will support their efforts to be more comfortable and to interact more appropriately in work and community interactions.