Human Computer Interaction
Course name
Course ID:
Prerequisites:
Prepared by:
40-227
Information Technology
Credits:
3
Program:
Co-requisites:
Undergraduate
-
Ali Asghar Nazari Shirehjini
Aim
This course will cover fundamental concepts of human computer interaction. It will introduce
theoretical methods to design, implement, and evaluate effective, efficient, and easy to learn
interactive systems that can satisfy user needs and expectations to perform specific tasks in specific
situations. In addition to lectures and classroom discussions, several group projects and exercises are
planned to stimulate the students’ analytical thinking. “Live” case studies on fundamental concepts
are also planned to promote classroom dynamics that permit dialogue and foster a degree of student
practices.
Here are some of the topics that the students are expected to learn:
 Students will acquire basic knowledge of human abilities and human computer interface
techniques (input, output, and dialogue);
 Students will acquire basic understanding of engineering usable interactive systems;
 Students will acquire basic knowledge of usability principles, evaluation metrics, and research
method;
 Students will develop expertise in user experience research.
The course projects require that at least one project member is able to develop basic graphical user
interfaces (HTML or .NET or Java, Flash or anything of your choice).
Based on small groups of 5 to 6, students are required to analyze, design, create
(prototypes/mockups) and evaluate user interfaces. Students are graded for the fundamental
concepts and methods applied to analyze, design, create, and evaluate an imaginary or real system.
Both quantity and quality will count. A solid documentation of the student projects is expected. It is
absolutely required to follow scientific working principals.
Each assignment will be available before the lectures that cover the same topics. Students are
encouraged to read the text book and to attempt solving the assignments or preparing the project
before coming to the classes. This will help creating an informative classroom discussion and
ultimately benefiting the students on their assignments. It will also support a deeper understanding of
the concepts covered by the lectures. The solutions will be corrected and discussed “live” in the
classroom.
Outline
The following topics will be discussed in this course.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Introduction; history; definition of terms and concepts
Human abilities and mental models
Input, output and dialog techniques
Taxonomy for input and representational output modalities
Navigation, pointing, selection and acquisition
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Zooming & panning
Designing WIMP
User interface software
User centered design and iterative software development principles
User research and requirements gathering methods
Usability principles
Usability testing methods
New directions and research topics in HCI
Conclusion & Summary
Evaluation Criteria
Midterm exam:
50%
Final exam:
50%
Assignments and project:
mandatory; you can acquire up to +3 or -3 points
References
1. Alan Dix, Janet Finlay, Gregory D. Abowd, Russell Beale: “Human Computer Interaction.”
Prentice Hall, 3rd edition, 2003, ISBN: 0130461091
2.
Ben Shneiderman and Catherine Plaisant: “Designing the User Interface: Strategies for
Effective Human-Computer Interaction.” Prentice Hall, 5th edition, 2009, ISBN: 0321537351.