Mixed-Initiative Approach to Collaboration in the Mathematical Domain

Abstract

Using smart-phones for ad-hoc mathematical collaboration poses multiple user interface challenges. In this paper, soft-ware agents are used to lessen the cognitive load through automatic line labeling. Researchers in the human-computer interaction community have attempted to alleviate the prob-lem of general usability through user interface engineering conventions (Myers 1994). However, these engineering ap-proaches can be improved upon through the application of mixed-initiative principles. Background Advances in computing are changing the fundamental modalities of both work and collaboration. No longer must one concern himself with what are increasingly becoming trivialities such as location and time. This becomes increas-ingly evident as autonomous forms of communication be-