Abstract This article proposes a vision-driven roadmap for Extended Reality (XR) in education that treats technology as infrastructure rather than spectacle. Two anchors guide the work. First, vision-led design focuses on persistent educational needs before tools. Second, the long path to adoption reminds us that mainstream impact follows decades of refinement. We adapt and apply the Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) time-space matrix to the educational context, using Germany as a case study to map current practices. The map reveals a strong bias toward same-time, same-place activities, limited use of asynchronous and distributed work, and integration barriers, including novelty effects, preparation time, infrastructure, and interoperability. We then outline development pathways across three horizons. In 10–15 years, co-located lessons mature through teacher-editable, persistent scenes and modular “nuggets” that reduce preparation cost. In 25–35 years, hybrid integration connects sites at scale, with shared environments that support both live collaboration and asynchronous work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) peers. At 50 years, balanced use of all four quadrants becomes routine, supported by safer interfaces, richer haptics, and portable AI companions that respect privacy. Throughout, we argue that XR should be judged by how well it fosters modelling and simulation literacy, collaboration across time and place, AI literacy, and embodied making, all while safely offloading teachers’ routine tasks such as basic explanations, first-pass grading, and basic task sequencing.

Abstract Advances in large language models (LLMs) have enabled conversational agents (CAs) to invoke external functions dynamically, yet little is known about how different tool-calling (TC) strategies affect user experience. This study compares two approaches – automatic execution based on conversational context versus user-confirmed execution – using a German-language CA in a business-travel scenario. In a between-subjects experiment, 451 employed adult participants (aged 18–65) were randomly assigned to one of the two TC conditions, completed a structured travel request interaction, and then rated their perceived trust (PTru), autonomy (PA), transparency (PTrn), ease of use (PEU), and usefulness (PU). Our findings indicate that TC strategy had a significant overall impact on users’ combined perceptions, and that demographic factors – particularly age – played a critical role in shaping these responses, highlighting the need for adaptive, inclusive design practices that balance automation with user control. CCS Concepts • Human-centered computing → Human computer interaction (HCI) → Interactive systems and tools • Human-centered computing → Interaction design → Systems and tools for interaction design.

Abstract This study explores how different instructional formats, such as printed manuals, tablets, and smart glasses, affect training efficiency and sustainability within a procedural assembly task. As industries and educational institutions pursue sustainable digital transformation, traditional printed manuals are increasingly being replaced by digital and wearable systems that offer scalability, adaptability, and reduced material use. Thirty-three participants performed a standardized twelve-step assembly task using one of the three modalities. Results showed that smart glasses yielded the highest task efficiency and lowest error rates, while tablets received the most favorable usability ratings due to participants’ familiarity with touchscreen interfaces. Printed manuals performed the worst, causing frequent workflow interruptions and greater cognitive demand. Qualitative feedback supported these findings, highlighting that hands-free, adaptive digital guidance promotes smoother task flow and less dependence on static, resource-intensive materials. Overall, the study demonstrates that digital and wearable instructional systems not only enhance immediate performance outcomes but also support long-term sustainability goals and alignment with Industry 4.0 practices. The findings provide empirical evidence for the benefits of digital training tools and offer practical guidance for organizations aiming to develop scalable, efficient, and environmentally responsible instructional strategies.

Abstract This paper presents the first design iteration of a case study conducted in a pharmaceutical distribution company to investigate the sociotechnical dimensions of managing stress. Aromatherapy is employed both as a design provocation and as a well-being intervention, aiming to uncover the underlying design imperatives of workplace well-being interventions. We conceptualize the workplace as a sociotechnical infrastructure and emphasize the situated and contextual nature of work practices as central to understanding stress. The case study contributes to HCI research by (1) advancing the understanding of stress as a sociotechnical issue in organizational contexts and (2) offering insights into the design and use of aromatherapy as a non-conventional well-being intervention in the workplace, identifying broader implications and tensions for the design of such technologies.

Abstract App recommendations and data visualizations such as weather forecasts, navigation aids, or sleep tracking graphs play an increasingly important role in daily decisions. However, the apps’ underlying functioning often remains opaque, possibly resulting in a suboptimal user experience or inadequate reliance on recommendations. To approach design solutions for this, the paper investigates the effects of textual and graphic transparency cues on users’ mental model accuracy, user experience, and explanation satisfaction, using the example of a weather and a sleep tracking app. An online experiment with 293 participants showed that textual transparency cues (i.e., verbal explanations) led to higher felt and objectively measured mental model accuracy than graphic transparency cues (i.e., data visualizations). Textual cues were also more satisfying than graphic cues but did not result in significantly different ratings of user experience. Moreover, differences between textual and graphic cues in subjective mental model accuracy and explanation satisfaction were stronger for the weather than the sleep tracking app, implying context-specific differences in the impact of transparency cues. The results and limitations are discussed and linked to the challenge of finding a sweet spot for technology transparency design.

Abstract Young adults frequently face mental health challenges due to high expectations, self-doubt, and uncertainties about the future. With advancements in digital communication, artificial intelligence (AI)-based conversational agents (CAs) could play a role for those struggling with grief, anxiety or loneliness. This study investigates the current use of CAs (e. g. ChatGPT, Siri) for mental health purposes and the preferred communication modes among young adults in Germany. A quantitative online survey was conducted from August 6 to September 17, 2023, involving 216 participants aged 18 to 27 (120 females, 95 males, 1 non-binary). The findings reveal that 82 % of respondents use CAs, with 17 % having asked help from these agents when feeling depressed or anxious. While verbal communication is preferred for sharing grief with humans, written interaction is favoured when engaging with CAs. Notably, participants with preexisting anxiety or psychological distress showed an increased tendency to communicate about it and a stronger preference for writing about their concerns. These findings suggest that CAs could be a valuable tool for mental health support, especially for young male adults who may be less inclined to openly share their concerns. Further exploration is needed to understand the evolving role of CAs in mental health support, particularly in how to interact with them effectively.

Abstract This paper examines the potential impact of social robots on people with mild cognitive impairments in a nursing home. Within a 4-month design case study, we investigated the practices, attitudes, and social contexts of residents with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers and designed two prototype apps for a robotic-based system. Subsequently, 10 residents, the former nursing home manager, and one social caregiver participated in a prototype evaluation study for 10 weeks. The goal was to assess group-based user experience and social interactions. Qualitative results indicate that the system can support participants in their individual, social, and daily activities and, therefore, consequently initiate potentially meaningful interactions. One key observation from the video analysis was that the participants initiated unanticipated conversations with the robot, which we discuss regarding the prompting character, design appearance, and affordances of the robot in interaction.

Abstract Design decisions have an impact on societies and the environment. Making the impact of design tangible facilitates the mitigation of its negative consequences. The purpose of this paper is to outline what methods and actions a User Experience (UX) practitioner could use in order to support sustainable development. At Ergosign GmbH, an agency creating digital experiences, we conducted a review of existing guidelines and principles to determine the relevance and usefulness of those frameworks in the User Experience Design (UXD) context. The analysis resulted in the creation of six guiding principles to introduce sustainability concerns into the design process. Additionally, we mapped related UX methods and heuristics to each principle. Each of the six principles, as well as an exemplary method, are described in detail in this article. A first practical evaluation of the principles suggests that assessing impact and identifying preventive actions is possible at all stages of the design process. Furthermore, there is no strict correlation of a principle with a particular project phase. While an early analysis generates a more holistic action plan, a later assessment provides more concrete advice. Both approaches can deliver notable improvements in the reduction of resource usage.

We are currently in a period of upheaval, as many new technologies are emerging that open up new possibilities to shape our everyday lives. Particularly, within the field of Personalized Human-Computer Interaction we observe high potential, but also challenges. In this article, we explore how an increasing amount of online services and tools not only further facilitates our lives, but also shapes our lives and how we perceive our environments. For this purpose, we adopt the metaphor of personalized 'online layers' and show how these layers are and will be interwoven with the lives that we live in the 'human layer' of the real world.

Location-based games are a highly technology-dependent game genre that has witnessed an exponential increase in popularity with the democratisation of smartphones as well as ubiquitous mobile data and access to satellite navigation. Moving forward into the future, location-based games can be expected to evolve as the technologies underlying the genre improve. In this conceptual work, we review the current state of the art in location-based games, and identify key trajectories and trends. We discovered 12 trends, based on which we jump ten years into the future and evaluate how current technology trends may end up influencing location-based gaming. For example, we propose that in the year 2035 through improvements in map data services and sensor data coverage, we will see locative games that are increasingly connected to elements in the physical world. We also expect to see gameplay that moves away from solely taking place on a smartphone screen to the adoption of multiple forms of interactions with location-based game worlds, especially as head-mounted displays and other wearables become more commonplace.