Context-aware technology for improving interaction in video-based agricultural extension

Our work explores how handheld technology can help mediators perform at a higher level when facilitating video material, using two novel interaction mechanisms. We describe work with Digital Green, an NGO using facilitated video for agricultural extension in rural India. During an investigation into the information needs of Digital Green facilitators we found that novice facilitators benefited from targeted information presented during the video shows. Based upon this finding, we built and field-tested two different solutions for delivering this information to the facilitator in real time during the video shows. The primary difference between the two was the mechanism used to synchronize the video with the device, allowing the user to interact with the device as an extension of the presentation system (e.g. TV/DVD player). One approach involves audio codes embedded in the video that were decoded on an Android smart phone using digital signal processing. The other approach was a custom-hardware "smart" remote control. We field tested both devices for four weeks with Digital Green facilitators in northern Karnataka, and users stopped for and discussed most of the prompts. This field test established both approaches as viable for field use and identified a number of improvements for revised devices.