The Collaborative Map Explorer defines a new learning artifact that allows students to explore different layers of information related to a geographical location on a map using distributed user interfaces in the same space at the same time. Students are able to manipulate geographical information using viewports that can be moved over a map that is projected on a shared surface (i.e. multitouch surface). Each viewport exposes different layers of information for a particular region on the map. These information layers are selected by the student using a mobile device. Consequently, the use of a distributed user interface provides students with the ability to address local and shared information at the same time in the same space in a Computer Supported Collaborative Learning Environment. The article also includes a preliminary usability evaluation of this interaction technique that exposes the potential of this solution.

WallShare introduces a new system to improve the collaboration possibilities among the participants in face-to-face meetings and working groups. It defines an novel interaction device and platform to develop collaborative applications. The system provides a shared zone displayed by a projector over a wall. Through their cursors and mobile devices users are capable of post notes and messages, and sharing files, such as documents, images, etc. This article also exposes a preliminary usability evaluation of WallShare showing the effectiveness, productivity and satisfaction of users.

We introduce a new system to improve the collaboration possibilities among the participants in face-to-face meetings and working groups, called WallShare. WallShare is a new interaction device and a new platform to develop collaborative applications. The proposed system provides a shared zone that is displayed by a projector over a wall. Users can collaborate through the shared zone using their own mobile devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs, laptops and so on. To use the shared zone, users have their own cursors that allow them to share any kind of files, such as images, or documents. WallShare has been proved helpful to support distributed user interfaces. The usability evaluation also showed us that WallShare users' can perform a set of tasks with effectiveness, productivity and satisfaction.