DDPC 1633/DDC 3153 Human-Computer Interaction/ User Interface Programming

AIM The aim of this study is to introduce you to the fundamental and exciting area of human computer interaction (HCI) and to prepare you for more advanced HCI topics.

Assesment Test 1 : 5% Test 2 : 5% Assignment 1 : 5% Assignment 2 : 5% Project : 10% Log Book /Project Activities/class attendance : 5%

Assignments For each assignment you may team up in groups of no more than 4 and no less than 2 students. The team mark will be based upon the quality of the submitted assignment as well as the presentation. The marks for the team effort will be assigned to each team member. If complaints are received that a team member did not pull his/her weight in the team, the team member will be penalised according to the discretion of the lecturer.

Human-Computer Interaction Chapter 1 Introduction

Learning outcome Discuss why HCI is a worthwhile study area Explain why it is difficult to ‘engineer’ for usability and why there is a problem measuring usability Describe the difference between ‘useful’ and ‘usable’ Identify and discuss how to resolve usability problems in existing systems

Introduction HCI stands for Human-computer interaction It is the study of computer systems from the user’s point of view The goal are: to understand why computer systems are easy/difficult to use, and Undersaand better the designs that people need and design processes ...to be able to design easier systems

Usability “If the user cannot use it, it does not work.” – Susan Dray “The old computing is about what computers can do, the new computing is about what users can do” – Ben Shneiderman Paradoxically, adding new functionality can disempower or confuse users. It is not about what technology can do, but about what people can do with technology.

UCSD (User-centred system design) Starting point for an effective design has to be the users, their needs, preferences and abilities. UCSD is a design methodology that builds simple models of the users and their tasks Iterative Prototyping and the evaluation of alternatives by the users

HCI as a field of study Provides context in which to consider user-centred system design methods Provides a basis for evaluation of systems for their usability in terms of Learnability: How fast can new users get going with a system? Effectiveness: Can the user do it? Accuracy and completeness. Error rate and the severity of errors made. Efficiency: How fast can users accomplish tasks? User satisfaction: Do users like to use the system? Provides an environment for theories of user-psychology

Engineering Means that designers went through systematic process to develop product that meets its requirements. Is there an engineering process that can be followed to ensure that an interactive system is easy to use? (Interactive: Any technological system which requires interaction with users, e.g. ATM, word processor, washing machine, etc.) Engineering a bridge: Assessing success is based on measurable factors, i.e. quantitative (e.g. max weight, wind speed, breaking strain, etc.) “Ease of use” is qualitative

Useful, usable or accessible? Useful: The user can do the task. Usable: Users achieve the task easily and enjoyably. Accessible: Task can be done by full range of intended users

Exercise For each of the following systems, say whether it is useful and usable. System An ATM for a user wanting to withdraw money An ATM for visually impaired user wanting to withdraw money The banking website for user wanting to buy food The Amazon .com for user to buy the Harry Potter book