Twist, shift, or stack? Usability analysis of geospatial interactions on a tangible tabletop

Maps as learning, exploration and analysis tools have great power to aid understanding of complex phenomena and to instigate and engage discussion. To date, web-mapping platforms have largely contributed to the public availability of geospatial information. Tangible user interfaces (TUI) as an emerging class of interfaces, have a clear potential for improving collaboration around geospatial data, as well as increase geospatial understanding, but to realise this potential they must be easy and straightforward to learn and use. To date, there is a lack of research centred on human interactions with geospatial tangible applications. This paper reports on the results of an initial qualitative usability study carried with novice users on a geospatial tangible table. It discusses aspects related to cartographic elements, object manipulations, and offline interactions, to create an initial set of usability guidelines for geo-tangible tables.