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Map of Human Computer Interaction
What does the discipline of HCI cover?
Why study HCI?
Overview: Map of Human Computer Interaction
Use and context of computers
Problems of fitting computers, their uses, and the context of use together
Social organization and work
• humans are interacting social beings
• considers models of human activity:
- small groups, organizations, socio-technical systems
• quality of work life…
Application areas
• characteristics of application domains, e.g. individual vs group work
• popular styles
- document production, communications, design, tutorials and help, multi-media information kiosks, continuous control (cockpits, process control), embedded systems (copiers, home appliances)
Human-machine fit and adaptation
• improve the fit between the designed object and its use
- how systems are selected and adopted; how users improvise routine systems; how systems adapt to the user (customization); how users adapt to the system (training, ease of learning); user guidance (help, documentation, error-handling)
Human characteristics
To understand the human as an information-processing system,
how humans communicate, and
people’s physical and psychological requirements
Human information processing
• characteristics of the human as a processor of information
- memory, perception, motor skills, attention, problem-solving, learning and skill acquisition, motivation, conceptual models, diversity...
Language, communication and interaction
• aspects of language
- syntax, semantics, pragmatics; conversational interaction, specialized languages
Ergonomics
• anthropometric and physiological characteristics of people and their relationship to workspace and the environment
- arrangement of displays and controls; cognitive and sensory limits; effects of display technology; fatigue and health; furniture and lighting; design for stressful and hazardous environments; design for the disabled...
Computer system and interface architecture
The specialized components computers have for interacting with people
Input and output devices
• mechanics and characteristics of particular hardware devices, performance characteristics (human and system), esoteric devices, virtual devices
Dialogue techniques
• the basic software architecture and techniques for interacting with humans
- e.g. dialog inputs and outputs; interaction styles; issues
Dialog genre
• The conceptual uses to which the technical means are put
- e.g. interaction and content metaphors, transition management, style and aesthetics
Computer graphics
• basic concepts from computer graphics that are especially useful to HCI
Dialogue architecture
• software architecture and standards for interfaces
- e.g., screen imaging; window managers; interface toolkits; multi-user architectures, look and feel, standardization and interoperability
The Development Process
The construction and evaluation of human interfaces
Design approaches
• the process of design
- e.g. graphical design basics (typography, color, etc); software engineering; task analysis; industrial design...
Implementation techniques and tools
• tactics and tools for implementation, and the relationship between design, evaluation and implementation
- e.g. prototyping techniques, dialog toolkits, object-oriented methods, data representation and algorithms
Evaluation techniques
• philosophy and specific methods for evaluation
- e.g. productivity, usability testing, formative and summative evaluation
Example systems and case studies
• classic designs to serve as example of interface design genres
Why study human use of computer systems?
Business view:
• to use humans more productively/effectively
• the human costs now far outweigh hardware and software costs
Personal view:
• people view computers as appliances, and want it to perform as one
Marketplace view:
• everyday people using computers
- now expect “easy to use system”
- not tolerant of poorly designed systems
- little vendor control of training
- heterogeneous group
• if product is hard to use, people will seek other products
- eg Mac vs IBM (Microsoft Windows)
Why study human use of computer systems?
The system view:
• complex human
• complex computer
• complex interface between the two
The human factors view:
• humans have necessary limitations
• errors are costly in terms of
- loss of time
- loss of money
- loss of lives in critical systems
- loss of morale
• design can cope with such limitations!
Why study human use of computer systems?
The social view:
Computers contribute to critical parts of our society, and cannot be ignored
• educate our children
• take medical histories and provide expert advice
• keep track of our credit worthiness
• play(?) war games (and help form policies)
• control air and ground traffic flow
• book travel
• control chemical/oil/nuclear plants
• control space missions
• assist humans with their everyday tasks (office automation)
• control complex machines (aircraft, space shuttles, super tankers)
• help control consumer equipment (cars, washing machines)
• entertainment (games, intellectual stimulation).…
In all these views, economics and human best interests are aligned
You know now
The HCI discipline includes the study of:
• the use and context of computers
• human characteristics
• computer system and interface architecture
• the development process
HCI is worth studying because it aligns both human interests and economic interests