iSYS 482: Human Computer Interaction
Contents
Human factors issues in the development of software, use of database systems, and design of user interfaces for interactive systems. Science base (theories, models, usability studies, and controlled experimentation), and software development with user-interface-development environments. Issues include: command languages, menus, forms, and direct manipulation, graphical user interfaces, computer supported cooperative work, information search and visualization, World Wide Web design, input/output devices, and display design. Cross-listed with IT as IT 482.
This course (iSYS 482) is not a prerequisite for any other iSYS course.
This course is normally scheduled every fall semester.
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under construction...)
The following content areas will be covered.
- Human-Computer Interaction Fundamentals (about 3 hours)
- Human-Computer Interface Quality and Evaluation (about 4 hours)
- Dimensions of Interface Variability (about 8 hours)
- User-Centered Design and Task Analysis (about 8 hours)
- User Interface Implementation (about 11 hours)
- HCI Science and Research (about 4 hours)
- HCI Development Process (about 1 hour)
- Social Effects on HCI (about 4 hours)
- HCI Methodology (about 3 hours)
- Human-Machine Fit and Adaptation (about 2 hours)
- Human Information Processor (about 10 hours)
Additional topics may also be covered based on time and student interest.
By the end of this course, you should be able to
- explain the importance of user interface design
- explain the relationship of the discipline of user interface design to the science of human-computer interaction
- explain why changing a system using direct manipulation produces different properties
- list and explain measures of user interface quality
- list and explain methods for observation and evaluation
- explain how help systems differ from other kinds of (printed) documentation
- explain the importance of user support and assistance in HCI
- explain the role of metaphor in dialogue genre
- explain when specific dialogue techniques are called for
- explain how HCI designs evolve over time and how to reduce the resulting economic effects
- explain how socio-technical issues affect HCI development
- explain how user-centered design differs from traditional design techniques
- explain the process of prototyping and the iterative design cycle
- explain the role of principles and guidelines in HCI design
- explain where and how HCI fits into commonly-used software development design models
- demonstrate the ability to use HCI prototyping tools and environments to construct an effective user interface for a typical business application
- list the specific disciplines that comprise HCI and explain the information and solutions provided by each discipline
- demonstrate the ability to follow a standard development process (e.g., unified model) and include HCI in that development process
- demonstrate the ability to use alternative system development processes
- explain how models of work, workflow and cooperative activity affect UI design
- explain how small group dynamics affects worker output
- explain how small group dynamics can affect UI design and vice-versa
- explain how to take social networks into account when designing a UI
- explain typical was that information flows through an organization
- demonstrate the ability to administer a survey
- demonstrate the ability to design an effective questionnaire
- demonstrate the ability to use unobtrusive measures
- explain how to design a system that adapts to different user types
- explain how users adapt to new environments and how this affects UI design
- explain the nature and theory of adaptive systems
- explain the relationship of UI design, user types, and system design
- list and explain theories of system adoption and methodology used to ascertain and motivate adoption
- list several methods for training and explain each one's advantages and disadvantages
- explain human architecture and performance of critical subunits (e.g., memory, perception, motor skills)
- list several applications of model human information processor and explain the relationship to UI design
Final textbook choice is determined by the instructor, who may choose a textbook similar to one the following. This list can give you an idea of the course topics, coverage, and depth.
- Benyon, Turner, Turner, Designing Interactive Systems: People, Activities, Contexts, Technologies, Addison-Wesley, 2005(ISBN: 0321116291)
- Carroll, Human-Computer Interaction in the New Millennium, Addison Wesley Professional, 2001(ISBN: 0201704471)
- Dix, Finlay, Abowd, Beale, Human-Computer Interaction (3rd), Prentice Hall, 2004(ISBN: 0130461091)
- Lauesen, User Interface Design: A Software Engineering Perspective, Addison-Wesley, 2005(ISBN: 0321181433)
- Lazar, Web Usability: A User-Centered Design Approach, Addison-Wesley, 2006(ISBN: 0321321359)
- McCracken, Wolfe, User-Centered Web Site Development: A Human-Computer Interaction Approach, Prentice Hall, 2004(ISBN: 0130411612)
- Shneiderman, Plaisant, Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction (4th), Addison-Wesley, 2005(ISBN: 0321197860)
- Wickens, Lee, Liu, Gordon-Becker, Introduction to Human Factors Engineering (2nd), Prentice Hall, 2004(ISBN: 0131837362)
Additional readings may be assigned by the instructor.
