Abstracts - Earli

structure of information are suggested to help users getting easy access to task-relevantinformation because it is based on an understanding of the inherent semantics of a domain. Digitalinteractive concept maps may be used as a "bridging technology" to represent both task-relevantknowledge and information in an integrative format and to visualize the semantic structureinherent in the task-relevant section of the represented domain. The paper reports about anexperimental study aimed at assessing the efficacy of digital concept maps for an integratedrepresentation and communication of knowledge and information in an online counseling scenario.A digital interactive concept map and a digital interactive concept list are compared. Both types oftools provide interactive access to hyper-linked text-based documents. However, the tools differwith respect to the explicitness in visualizing semantic relations between task-relevant contentslocated in the single documents. We ask whether the explicit representation of semanticrelationships inherent in the contents of a set of pre-selected information resources by means of adigital concept map may help fostering access to problem relevant information and answeringproblem-relevant questions - as compared to a hierarchically structured digital concept list with novisualization of semantic relations. The amount of correct answers, the time needed for answeringdifferent types of questions, the degree of cognitive load, and the acceptability of the techniqueused for communicating task-relevant information are assessed. Results of the study are reported,theoretical implications and prospects for using digital concept maps for communicatingknowledge and information are discussed.Concept-map based knowledge and information visualization for fostering computer-supportedcollaborationTanja Engelmann, Knowledge Media Research Center, GermanySigmar-Olaf Tergan, Knowledge Media Research Center, GermanyComputer-supported collaboration is still problematic with regard to the interaction between thespatially distributed group members. However, there is an increasing need to collaboratecomputer-supported, because in times of globalization collaboration by experts who are located atdifferent places is becoming increasingly crucial. One of the reasons for the interaction problemsin computer-supported collaboration is the reduced context information, like the reducednonverbal communication or the reduced communication of emotional signals, compared to faceto face collaborations. In this paper an innovative approach to tackle these interaction problems ispresented. This new approach is based on visualizations of group members’ individual knowledgeand information underlying this knowledge that are made available to the group. Realized asdigital concept maps this knowledge and information visualizations foster "knowledge andinformation awareness". Knowledge and information awareness is defined as awareness of groupmembers regarding their collaborators’ knowledge and the information underlying this knowledge.In an experimental study (N = 30 triads) the efficiency of knowledge and information awarenesson computer-supported collaboration could be confirmed by comparing an experimental condition,in which groups were provided with an environment for fostering knowledge and informationawareness, and a control condition, in which the groups had no access to this environment.A study of the use of concept maps and knowledge models to organize and communicate a complextechnical knowledge domainJohn W. Coffey, Univ. of Florida; IHMC Pensacola, USADigital concept maps have been proposed as a visual organizing factor for information andknowledge resources in educational settings. A new course is being developed that will use aknowledge model, an aggregate of digital concept maps and other digital resources, as a visual– 624 –