ISU 570 Human-Computer Interaction (4 SH)

Studies the principles of human-computer interaction and the practice of user interface design. Discusses the major human information processing sub-systems (perception, memory, attention, and problem-solving), and how the properties of these systems influence the design of interactive systems. Reviews guidelines and specification languages for designing user interfaces, with an emphasis on toolkits of standard graphical-user-interface objects. Introduces usability metrics and evaluation methods. Additional topics may include: World Wide Web design principles and tools; wireless/mobile device interfaces; computer-supported cooperative-work; information visualization; virtual reality. Coursework includes designing user interfaces, creating working prototypes using a GUI toolkit, and evaluating existing interfaces using the methods studied.

CSU 370

Schneiderman, Ben (2004). Designing the User Interface, 4th edition. Addison-Wesley Ratner, Julie, ed. (2003) Human Factors in Web Design, 2nd Edition Lawrence Erlbaum Other useful references (and sources of additional assigned readings): Donald A. Norman, The Design of Everyday Things, Doubleday/Currency 1988. Mary Beth Rosson and John M. Carroll, Usability Engineering, Morgan Kaufmann, 2002. Jakob Nielsen, Usability Engineering, Academic Press, 1993 Alan Cooper and Alan Neimann, About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design, 2nd edition. IDG Books, 2003. J. Preece, Y. Rogers and H. Sharp, Interaction Design. Wiley 2002 Deborah J. Mayhew, Software User Interface Design, Prentice Hall 1992. Alan Dix et. al, Human-Computer Interaction, 2nd. ed., Prentice Hall 1998. Julie A. Jacko and Andrew Sears (eds)., The Human-Computer Interaction Handbook, Lawrence Erlbaum, 2003.

Required: The Usability Life Cycle Human Information Processing Conceptual Models Elements of Interactive Systems/Interface Construction Toolkits High level design principles (general heuristics) Intermediate-level design guidelines (for windows. menus, forms, color, screen layout) Languages for describing interactive system designs (e.g., transition diagrams) Usability evaluation paradigms inspection methods usability testing field studies Optional topics: Scenario-based design methodoloogy (or other design methodology) Models of user performance Computer-supported Collaboration Visualization/Virtual Reality Aesthetics and Emotional Design Interface Design for Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing

Upon completion of this course, a student should: understand the role of usability in the software engineering lifecycle understand some basic principles of human information processing, including the memory hierarchy and its HCI implications understand the major approaches to usability evaluation understand the major UI design principles and guidelines developed by the HCI field, and their empirical and/or cognitive science justifications be able to design interfaces that satisfy the major UI design principles and guidelines of the HCI field be able to use an interface contruction toolkit to create a working prototype of an interactive system be able to write a professional report documenting the design of a user interface be able to write a professional report documenting the results of a usability evaluation. Students will create at least two small individual UI design projects, at least one of which must be implemented as a working prototype Students will practice at least one methodology for usability evaluation Students will participate in a term project (usually in groups) to design, develop, and document a working prototype for a significant UI design problem.

The course outcomes will be measured and verified by: Individual assignments to design, document and evaluate user interfaces Exams in which students will be asked to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts, theories and techniques learned in the course A Term project