Evocative Computing – Creating Meaningful Lasting Experiences in Connecting with the Past

Abstract

Abstract. We present an approach -evocative computing -that demonstrates how 'at hand' technologies can be 'picked up' and used by people to create meaningful and lasting experiences, through connecting and interacting with the past. The approach is instantiated here through a suite of interactive technologies configured for an indoor-outdoor setting that enables groups to explore, discover and research the history and background of a public cemetery. We report on a two-part study where different groups visited the cemetery and interacted with the digital tools and resources. During their activities serendipitous uses of the technology led to connections being made between personal memories and ongoing activities. Furthermore, these experiences were found to be long-lasting; a follow-up study, one year later, showed them to be highly memorable, and in some cases leading participants to take up new directions in their work. We discuss the value of evocative computing for enriching user experiences and engagement with heritage practices.

A Survey of the Trajectories Conceptual Framework

“…'everyday interactive artifacts […] do not possess any explicit "stories" [71]'). On the other hand, some critiques resonate with themes that are present in our corpus, with a number of works exploring whether trajectories can extend to open-ended, user-created [68] or less structured experiences [85], or proposing intermediate levels where trajectories "scaffold" the experience [37,85] rather than directing it. This critique resonates particularly with the types of experiences described in original trajectories, i.e.…”

Interacting with Digital Memorials in a Cemetery: Insights from an Immersive Practice

“…Also regarding the impact of technology in visiting cemeteries, Van der Linden et al [27] carried out a research that consisted on having 2 groups of users visiting an old Victorian cemetery in the UK with the mediation of interactive displays and mobile devices (including smartphones, tablets, video links and a shared multi-touch surface). These were placed indoors and outdoors for users to interact with them.…”