HCI for on-line Learning Alan Dix Lancaster University

what Ill talk about what is HCI – some issues and guidelines top down analysis of e-learning – from economics down

what is Human–Computer Interaction? not just the screen design! every aspect that affects the user

broader HCI issues stakeholders users model of systems task analysis organisation

Internet and CSCW (computer-supported cooperative work) value –lots of decision points marketing –what you say matters community

… but details matter too example – colours styles –cold north west - drab, low contrast –hot south east - bright, movement human eye –contrast not colour –distractions

good use of colour using conventions (red for alarms etc.) branding parts of an interface occasional emphasis redundant coding –i.e. in addition to other means e.g. web link colours - also underlined –for diagrams, etc.

bad use of colour over use - without very good reason (e.g. kids site) colour blindness poor use of contrast do adjust your set! –adjust your monitor to greys only –can you still read your screen?

four rules of navigation knowing where youve been –or what youve done knowing where you are knowing what you can do knowing where you are going –or what will happen

navigation and e-learning ? where you are going when you havent learnt it yet! history is complicated overviews and maps breaking rules for pedagogy suspense – dont say whats coming control – only progress when allowed

the golden rule of design understand your materials …, people, machines, learning models

physical things directness of effect –push and it moves locality of effect –here and now visibility of state –small number of relevant parameters

whats special about computers? complexity of effect –computation non locality of effect –in space – networks –in time – memory hidden state –large number of invisible variables

understanding the media time network delays, initialisation, layout time space screen size, fonts and spacing, precise location colour safe interaction standard navigation ++

design of pages content rich heavy text v.s image rich CD ROM style or... the quick and the dead

interactions internet delay experiment –fast (1 s) and slow (5 s) delays –menu-based information system –perfomance: time & accuracy –post test questions

interactions internet delay experiment –fast (1 s) and slow (5 s) delays, menu-based information system, perfomance: time & accuracy, post test questions results –longer delays slower performance –longer delays better memory why?

interactions internet delay experiment –longer delays slower performance –longer delays better memory why? –reading during gaps – interstitial learning –high cost of failure – more concentration – more processing

education top down

what is the core business of an educational institution? Education teaching and learning e-learning Validated certificates e-exams, e-assessment ?

economics of education Professor Alans formula! Student–Staff Ratio Student Contact Hours = Class Size Staff Contact Hours

e-learning? Effective Class Size = Students per Cohort Nos. of Cohorts in Course Lifetime Preparation Hours per Delivery Hour (relative to normal delivery)

user interfaces development choice of content, design of materials management monitoring progress, marks, etc. the oldest IT systems in education! learning student and staff together

IT in learning? information communication –c.f. Ann Light simulation as tool –Note taking etc, e.g. classroom 2000 as actor (teacher, assistant) –Elisa, student models

information paper –narrative & sequential web –episodic & non-linear knowledge is non-linear … … but much of memory is (e.g. bus tours)

communication who: student–teacher, student–student how: public or private issues timeliness, notification, belonging efficiency? vs. FAQ … process

communication think about dynamics process matters – => FAQ … more efficient? – lost sense of community start-up – good when everyone uses it? – zero point value freshness – bulletin board or web pages – need constant change or notification

simulation faster than life economic models more accessible than life virtual landscapes more flexible than life physics and ARK biased and correlated coins

as tool – eClass Georgia Tech, Atlanta

lecture using liveboard - electronic whiteboard

write on electronic slides

later … students replay slides, audio and video

eClass - lessons low intrusion (during lecture) no interpretation indexing (c.f. video)

as teacher early detection –e.g. spelling checking –N.B. no learning of bad habits low judgement