Human Machine Interaction principles and paradigms. Introduction to Cognitive Psychology and Models of the user. Models and interaction styles. Usability and evaluation techniques. Accessibility. Development and evaluation of web interfaces.
Dix, J. Finlay, G. Abowd, R. Beale, "Human-Computer Interaction", Prentice Hall, 1998
L. Gamberini, L. Chittaro, F. Paternò, "Human-Computer Interaction". Pearson 2012
Learning Objectives
The course aims to reflect on the problems that arise in the construction and use of interfaces and wants to provide tools for their assessment.
At the end of the course the student will have learned:
• the fundamental aspects of other disciplines (cognitive psychology, ergonomics, sociology, linguistics) that influence the design of interfaces;
• principles, paradigms, methodologies for the design of the interaction with the user;
• the main interface evaluation techniques;
• issues related to the accessibility of IT tools by individuals with physical and / or technological disabilities.
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
• evaluate the quality of an interface
• choose the most suitable interface evaluation technique in each specific case
• apply the main interface evaluation techniques and represent the results also graphically
• communicate with users and other specialists in a proactive and non-taxable manner
To stimulate the ability to learn independently, students are recommended, in addition to the main textbook, other texts on which to deepen specific topics and reading articles to develop critical thinking and analysis.
Prerequisites
The course requires no prerequisite, if not the basic knowledge of programming and computer architecture.
Teaching Methods
CFU: 6
Total hours of the course: 150
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities: 102
Number of hours for classroom activities: 48
The course is organized in lectures with the aid of slides that also show numerous examples to better illustrate the topics covered. During the course, simulations of application of interface evaluation techniques will be carried out and students will be asked to contribute to the lessons bringing examples of good and bad interfaces.
Further information
Frequency of lessons: Recommended
Tools to support teaching UniFi E-Learning: http://e-l.unifi.it
Office hours:
Prof. M. Cecilia Verri
Prior appointment via e-mail
Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications
Viale Morgagni, 65
50134 - Florence (FI)
Tel: 055 2751513
E-Mail: mariacecilia.verri @ unifi.it
Type of Assessment
The expected methods of assessment of the acquired knowledge and skills are:
• an oral examination is required for the institutional contents of the course. The maximum score for this part is 27/30
• for the application contents, a project must be carried out in small groups, which may consist in the evaluation of an interface or in the study of one or two scientific articles on the topics of the course. The project must be presented during the exam. The use of the most coherent theoretical tools among those proposed in the course for evaluation, the rigor in the application of the methods chosen for the evaluation, the ability to argue and compare the various points of view will be evaluated. The score ranges from 0 to 3 points.
Course program
Human Machine Interaction principles and paradigms. Evolution, state of the art and future prospects.Introduction to Cognitive Psychology and Models of the user. Interaction models: GOMS, the execution-evaluation of Norman model. Interaction styles, tools and paradigms.Usability and evaluation techniques: heuristic evaluation, cognitive walkthrough, user tests, questionnaires. Accessibility: the WCAG rules and the Italian law. Development and evaluation of web interfaces.