Authors:
Daniela Fogli
and
Loredana Parasiliti Provenza
Affiliation:
Università di Brescia, Italy
Keyword(s):
Collaborative web mapping, End-user development, Participatory design.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Artificial Intelligence
;
Best Practices & Communities of Practice
;
Communication, Collaboration and Information Sharing
;
Communities of Practice
;
Computer-Supported Education
;
Knowledge Management and Information Sharing
;
Knowledge-Based Systems
;
Learning/Teaching Methodologies and Assessment
;
Society, e-Business and e-Government
;
Symbolic Systems
;
Tools and Technology for Knowledge Management
;
Web Information Systems and Technologies
Abstract:
This paper describes FirstAidMap, a collaborative web mapping system for creating, managing and sharing territorial knowledge that can be useful in case of emergencies. The system arises from a design experience we have carried out with representative end users belonging to an association for public assistance and first aid. Volunteers of this association, and specifically ambulance drivers, need to know the characteristics of the territory where they ensure their assistance, in order to reach a given place quickly and in a safe manner. This knowledge is often tacit and usually distributed among the members of the association. Currently, to cope with this problem, paper-based maps are the only means to spread and share knowledge within the association; while training sessions are regularly taken to provide drivers with information about the dangers existing in the territory and possible viability modifications. Representative volunteers participated in the design of FirstAidMap and i
n the study of end-user development functionalities that could make all volunteers able to contribute their own knowledge and share it with the other volunteers. The resulting system engages and motivates users to participate in map shaping and, at the same time, reinforces the sense of community and individual awareness.
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