Human-Computer Interaction Quiz

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Overview

• HCI is the study of how humans and computers interact.
• A key aspect is creating interactive computer interfaces that meet user needs.
• HCI involves developing, evaluating, and implementing systems for human use, examining surrounding phenomena.
• Design aims to create interfaces that are easy, effective, and enjoyable to use.

Interactive Products

• Many everyday products are interactive (e.g., iPads, smartphones, TVs, ATMs, websites).
• Usability and functionality are related but distinct.

Interactional Design and HCI

• HCI is about optimizing human-computer interaction.
• HCI includes the design and evaluation of interactive systems.

Interactive Design

• Interactive design considers the users, how the product will be used, and where it will be used.
• The goal is to enhance and support user activities efficiently and usefully.
  • Examples of this are self-checkout systems in stores, libraries, or airports.

The Process of Interaction Design

• Interaction design has a cyclical process.
  • Establish requirements
  • Design alternatives
  • Prototyping
  • Evaluating

Examples of HCI

• Internet of Things (IoT): Digital systems interact with physical devices (e.g., sensors, actuators)
• Eye-tracking technology: Measures eye movements to understand how users interact with interfaces.
• Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR): Allows users to immerse themselves in virtual or augmented environments.

Basic Activities of Interaction Design

• Establishing Requirements: Understand target users and their support needs.
• Developing Alternative Designs: Conceptual and physical design, including features, color, sounds, and design.

Evaluating Designs

• Evaluation determines usability and acceptability.
• Criteria include error rates, appeal, and how well the design meets requirements.

Interface, Interaction, Experience

• User Interface (UI): What happens on the screen.
• Interaction Design (IxD): Process of interaction itself.
• User Experience (UX): How a product behaves and is used in the real world; includes feelings, satisfaction during use.
• Crucial factors in UX include the sound of clicks, touch of buttons, colors, and other small details. It's about the whole experience.

Factors of UX

• Usability and functionality: how usable and useful the design is.
• Aesthetics/look and feel: visual appeal.
• Content, and
• Emotional appeal (Norman's Model—visceral, behavioral, reflective).

Usability vs. Usefulness

• Usefulness: The design functionality meets user needs and supports tasks.
• Usability: Degree to which an interface is easy to learn, use, protect against errors, and provides support.
  • Useful but not usable, usable but not useful, neither useful nor usable are considerations for designers.

Usability Goals

• Effectiveness
• Efficiency
• Safety
• Utility
• Learnability
• Memorability

Usability – Effectiveness

• How well a product performs as intended (e.g., completing tasks, accessing info, or making purchases).

Usability – Efficiency

• How quickly a user can achieve tasks.

Usability – Safety

• Understanding error possibilities and recovery procedures within the product.

Usability – Utility

• Enables users to complete tasks.

Usability – Learnability

• How easily users can learn to use a product.

Defining the User Interface

• A user interface (UI) is the means by which users interact with the computer.
• UI involves all the visible elements of a computer system or program that people interact with visually, audibly, or through touch.

Input and Output of UI

• Input: How a person gives instructions to the system. (e.g., using keyboard, mouse, voice, finger).
• Output: How the system presents information to the user.

Types of User Interfaces

• Command-Based: Users type commands to perform tasks (e.g., MS-DOS).
• Graphical User Interface (GUI): Use graphical elements like icons, menus, etc., to operate systems.
• Touch Based Interface: The system is interacted via touch screen to control application operations, like opening, closing and running an app.
• Voice Based Interface: Use voice commands to interact with a device.
• Gesture Based Interface: User interactions use gestures.

Key Components of HCI

• Users
• Tools
• Tasks
• Interfaces
• Context

Key Components of HCI-Detail

• User: Individuals and groups participating in a common task with specific needs, goals, and interaction patterns.
• Goal-Oriented Tasks: User activities, guided by their intentions and represented digitally by computers.
• Interface: Part of a system that allows communication between humans and computers (includes elements like screen resolution and color).
• Context: Environment in which the system is used, influencing its usefulness.

Importance of HCI

• Understanding users' needs
• Making technology accessible
• Reducing errors and frustration
• Enhancing interaction efficiency
• Developing useful and usable technologies