COMP2006 Human-Computer Interaction

Basic Information

Description

Aims

In recent years there has been an increasing recognition of the important role played by the human-computer interaction in the success of computer systems.

This course aims to gives students an understanding of how the study of human-computer interaction affects the design of interactive systems, hardware and software and improve students' awareness of the issues that determine the usability of an interactive computer system.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• how different disciplines (human factors, cognitive psychology, engineering, graphics design, etc.) influence the design of interactive systems
• how users interact (dialogue) with system.
• the classification of input/output devices and techniques
• how to design, prototype and evaluate a user interface

Intellectual Skills

Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

• describe the main concepts (conceptual model, metaphors and paradigms) that influence human-computer interaction
• explain the main theories of cognition and how these are used when designing interactive systems
• classify the different input/output devises as to their effect on human-computer interaction.
• describe the process of designing for interaction and why a user centred approach is preferred.
• choose appropriate methods of evaluating an interactive system.

Practical Skills

Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

• Design a solution to a HCI problem.

General Transferable (key) Skills

Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

• model problems.
• plan your work and keep to deadlines.
• demonstrate a range of basic C&IT skills, including use of the Web to locate study materials.

Topics Covered

• User Psychology
• Hardware (input/output) devices
• Models and Metaphors
• Interaction styles, Graphical User Interface (GUI) and windowing systems
• Design methodology
• Accessibility
• Guidelines, standards and metrics
• Evaluation
• Advanced Interfaces

Teaching and learning activities

Teaching methods include

Lectures: two per week during the teaching weeks in semester 1. These are used to present theoretical and practical aspects of developing interactive systems.

Directive Reading: At the end of each teaching week, you will be given directive reading from the core text.

Assignment: There is one assignment, marked by the unit lecturers, which is used to allow you to explore an area of HCI in more depth. For instance you could be asked to design a use interface for an interactive system or evaluate a system, referencing and using appropriate theories from the course.

Learning activities include

During the lectures there may be quizzes and discussion group with a plenary feedback. Participation, while not compulsory, is encouraged.

The directive reading you will be given is the minimum amount of reading expected during you private study time. It is strongly recommended that you read around the subject areas covered in the lectures, refer to the list of background texts and ask the lectures if you require further resources.

In addition to the recommended texts, the website contains links to a number of other activities and information resources that you may find useful during your private study time.

Methods of assessment

Feedback and student support during module study

• Assignments will be marked and returned before the last teaching week.
• There are further resources on the course web site

Relationship between the teaching, learning and assessment methods and the planned learning outcomes

The knowledge, understanding and intellectual skills listed will be taught in lectures. In completing the assignment you will demonstrate your mastery of all the skills listed, including the transferable skills.

The purpose of the exam is to test your understanding of topics not covered by the assignment or that are difficult to fully assess in an assignment

Resources

Core Resources

• Dix A, Finlay J, Abowd G and Beale R, Human-Computer Interaction , 3rd Edition. Prentice Hall, 2003 Book's Web site. [Library] [Shops]
• Jones, Matt (2006) Mobile Interaction Design, Wiley, 2006. Also as electronic resource

Background Resources

• Dix A, Finlay J, Abowd G & Beale R, Human-Computer Interaction, Prentice Hall, 1998 [Library] [Shops]
• Preece J, Human-Computer Interaction 2nd edition, Addison Wesley, 1994 [Library] [Shops]
• Shneiderman B, Designing the User Interface 4th edition, Addison Wesley, 4th edition, 2004 [Library] [Shops]
• Norman DA, The Design of Everyday Things, Basic Books, 2002 new edition [Library] [Shops]
• Preece J and Keller L, Human-Computer Interaction, Prentice Hall, 1990
• Barfield L, The User Interface: Concepts & Design, Addison Wesley, 1993
• Cox K & Walker D, User Interface Design 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall, 1993
• Preece J, Rogers Y, Sharp H Interaction Design: beyond human-computer interaction, Wiley, 2002. [Library] [Shops]
• Serengul Smith-Atakan (2006) The FastTrack to Human-Computer Interaction, (Paperback)Thomson Learning [Library] [Shops]
• Sharp (2007) Interaction Design, 2nd edition, Wiley