Task #5

Interactivity by Jens Jensen is a 1998 - styled look at the terms "interaction" and "Interactivity"
Without (even!) mentioning the latin origins of the word, the author spaces through different notions coming from the field of communication studies, computer sciences and sociology He proposes a general dinstinction between how sociology, media studies and informatics look at the concept of interaction and he summarises it. quoting the paper: "‘Interactivity’ is defined as “A reciprocal dialog between the user and the system” where both sociology’s (mutual dialog) and informatic’s (user and system)"
Another interesting element comes from Everett M. Rogers (1986) who defines ‘interactivity’ as “the capability of new communication systems (usually containing a computer as one component) to ‘talk back’ to the user; he measures this through a continuum.
He then presents 3 different theories about continuum: one from Sheizaf Rafaeli and aonther from Jonathan Steuer who classifies different Media Technologies Using the Dimensions ‘Vividness’ and ‘Interactivity’
Subsequently, the author presents other approaches based on 2 or 3 dimensional concept of interactivity.Bohdan O. Szuprowicz, approach is based on the division between user to document and user to computer. The most interesting approach is though the one from Brenda Laurel, based on 3 criteria: frequency, range and significance.
Then a 4 dimensional view of interactivity is presented by Lutz Goertz, his variables are “The degree of choices available”, “The degree of modifiability”, 3) “The quantitative number of the selections and modifications available” and “The degree of linearity or non-linearity”. Last, an approach based on 6 dimensions
The author finally suggests that the conceps of interaction and interactivity should be separated from the concept of interactivity. Interaction in a "more sociological sense" and "interactivity" for "media use and mediated communication". He then proposes 4 dimensions to look at for the concept of interactivity: transmission, consultation, conversation and registration. His point is finally clear and his definition seems stable.