Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
noted. The Responder Role categories from the study are noted and include
(1) community responders; (2) practitioner with crisis response responsibili-
ties, (3) academic researcher; (4) student, citizen; and (5) none (please specify).
Of the 50 study participants, approximately 46% currently use text messag-
ing (Table 7.6). Findings also reflected 38% use camera and movie recordings
presenting a contrast between graphics and text.
If we review the user pretraining profile in closer detail, focusing on the find-
ings of survey question #19 “I know how to send text messages from my com-
puter (0 = yes, use SMS), (2 = no, use SMS).” Approximately 63% of participants
who use SMS text messaging can send a message and another 17.5% are neutral,
an indicator on awareness of SMS capabilities from a stationary computer.
Comparing question #19 to question #20 “I know how to send text messages
from my cell phone (0 = yes use SMS), (2 = no use SMS).” It can be noted that
63% of participants who use SMS text messaging can send a message and
another 11.1% are neutral, an indicator for future research that perhaps sug-
gests limited comfort when sending an SMS text message from a cell phone.
Findings from questions #19 and #20 suggest Web-based applications could
benefit community responders before field training on a mobile device.
7.5 Conclusions
This chapter presents a modular Web-based application design to reach a wider
audience with limited resources and assesses the potential for triage with role-
based agents, beginning with the role of community responders who do not
have specific terminology for their respective role. Leveraging plain language
written communication exchange of community responders offers a potential
baseline for this ongoing research. The task design built upon the Ruth and
Murphy Writing Assessment Model suggests delineation for triage both based
on the task and the word choice. Observations from the pilot study suggested
further alignment of the five task prompts to better assess the responses and
use of clear and concise (plain language) language. The intent is to deliver
training that focuses on communication protocols portable to any ICT device
increasing interoperable communications. The application itself was also
designed to reach a wider audience with limited ICT skills, lowering the need
for human intervention while providing them with a simulated experience
within their reach with their own resources in the hope that they would begin
practicing, once the training was completed. Research is currently under way
to extend the training into practice with actual mobile devices in the field and
capturing succinct SMS text messages and also those requiring some fluency
(descriptive in nature). Being able to implement a scorecard for feedback is an
essential part of the long-term goal that enhances the user experience and also
helps the user improve their communication protocols.
