The goal of this course is understanding the role of the user in the design of usable interactive systems. Therefore, the human-computer interaction discipline is introduced, by deepening those aspects that mainly affect the usability of interactive systems. These aspects are at the basis of the techniques for design, development and evaluation presented in this course and which are referred to the so-called "user-centered approach". The course aims at providing the students with further tools, with respect to those already acquired in previous courses, to cope with the design and development of real software applications, both desktop and web-based.
Introduction
The Human-Computer Interaction discipline. Usability of interactive systems. Human-computer interaction models. Mental models and conceptual models.
Phenomena that characterize the interaction between users and systems.
The human
Perceptive, cognitive and motor characteristics of humans. User profile and its definition for designing and evaluating interactive systems.
The computer
Input/output devices. Interaction styles: commands, fill-in forms, menus, spreadsheet, direct manipulation, anthropomorphic styles of interaction. Advanced interaction styles: ubiquitous computing, virtual reality and augmented reality.
Usability and accessibility
Usability definitions and dimensions. Usability engineering.
Accessibility and W3C standards for accessibility.
Usability evaluation
Usability evaluation methods: heuristic evaluation, cognitive walkthrough, keystroke level model, experiments with users, observation, monitoring, logging, questionnaires, interviews.
User-centered design
The star life cycle. Requirements specification. Task analysis: hierarchical task analysis, use cases, scenario-based design. Prototyping: horizontal and vertical prototypes, mock-ups, throw-away, evolutionary and interactive prototypes. Design patterns. Physical design: Gestalt rules, colors, affordance. Formal design.
Introduction
The Human-Computer Interaction discipline. Usability of interactive systems. Human-computer interaction models. Mental models and conceptual models.
Phenomena that characterize the interaction between users and systems.
The human
Perceptive, cognitive and motor characteristics of humans. User profile and its definition for designing and evaluating interactive systems.
The computer
Input/output devices. Interaction styles: commands, fill-in forms, menus, spreadsheet, direct manipulation, anthropomorphic styles of interaction. Advanced interaction styles: ubiquitous computing, virtual reality and augmented reality.
Usability and accessibility
Usability definitions and dimensions. Usability engineering.
Accessibility and W3C standards for accessibility.
Usability evaluation
Usability evaluation methods: heuristic evaluation, cognitive walkthrough, keystroke level model, experiments with users, observation, monitoring, logging, questionnaires, interviews.
User-centered design
The star life cycle. Requirements specification. Task analysis: hierarchical task analysis, use cases, scenario-based design. Prototyping: horizontal and vertical prototypes, mock-ups, throw-away, evolutionary and interactive prototypes. Design patterns. Physical design: Gestalt rules, colors, affordance. Formal design.
Polillo, R. "Facile da usare", Apogeo, 2010.
Dix, A., Finlay, J., Abowd, G. D., Beale, R., "Human-Computer Interaction", Third Edition, Pearson-Prentice Hall, 2004. (Traduzione italiana: "Interazione Uomo-Macchina", McGraw Hill).
Benyon, D., "Progettare l'interazione", Pearson,2012
Nielsen, J., "Usability Engineering", Academic Press, 1993.
Course website: http://www.ing.unibs.it/fogli (Sezione 'Didattica')
Lectures.
Project development and oral examination.
No additional information.