human computer interaction (HCI)

Question 1

what is HCI

Answer 1

• the aim is to facilitate the design, implementation and evaluation of information to satisfy to needs of the users.
• draws on cognitive psychology for theory and software engineering.
• observing how humans interact with technology

Question 2

use Apple inc. to outline how HCI draws in user experience

Answer 2

• HCI design dictates user experience
• user experience is about how someone feels about the product and their satisfaction using it.

Question 3

discuss cognition and emotion in HCI

Answer 3

• emotional has a substantial influence on cognitive processing
• emotion influences attention, effects whether acknowledge a product and buy it.

Question 4

outline the psychological model of HCI

Answer 4

Norman 1988

1) begin with the goal - online order
2) form intention - get laptop
3) intention into action - open safari and find website
4) execute these actions
5) perceive state, interpret what we see and compare against the goal

Question 5

what are the challenges of HCI

Answer 5

• an increasing diverse population means more variations in people for user-system design has to be considered.
• products need increased functionality

Question 6

outline the hardware of input devices

Answer 6

• switches and buttons use direct methods to issue instructions i.e., turn on/off
• designers must be careful in placing the buttons on phones

input methods:
- keyboard - QWERTY use today
- touchscreens - sensitive to touch, many even have multi-touch which enables zooming

Question 7

outline the hardware on output

Answer 7

• tech relies on touch, sight and hearing
• speech is used in sat naps, Alexa and Siri
• haptics - sense of touch - used in controllers

Question 8

define mandatory and directional use of device

Answer 8

• some use as required for jobs such as patient records.
• discretionary is for user satisfaction
• mandatory is for safety critical env. such as the medical field.

Question 9

discuss the social and organisational context

Answer 9

social -> supportive env that offers help for activities such as training manuals

organisation -> changes in tech alter communications which can effect jobs

Question 10

outline how individual differences of people effect how HCI occurs

Answer 10

• some people have different psychological abilities, some have better memory, visa-sptial skills
• differences in personality and ability to work under stress means products should be designed with the easiest use.

Question 11

discuss mental models with HCI

Answer 11

• many have a mental model of how a device will work, so they get a new phone and interact with it as they have prior knowledge to how it works.
• mental models needs updating with new technology, i.e, instead of alarm clock, Alexa has an alarm that can wake you up.