Human-Computer Interaction

Objectives

Knowledge

  • Be aware of the importance of the interface as a component of an interactive system.
  • Understand the human factors which drive the usage of computer systems.
  • Understand novel paradigms for human-computer interaction
  • Know and apply usability principles.
  • Know and apply prototyping techniques.
  • Know and apply interfaces evaluation techniques.
  • Fit HCI in the engineering project.
  • Describe and discuss current research in the field of HCI.

Application

  • Analyse and specify users requirements.
  • Perform iterative design: design, implement and evaluate user interfaces.
  • Apply design and usability principles in the design and evaluation of user interfaces.
  • Be able to apply the most suitable prototyping techniques, according to the project’srequirements and the different stages of user interface development.
  • Be able to evaluate user interfaces, applying the most appropriate evaluation techniques, in the different stages of their development.
 

Soft Skills

  • Develop creative capabilities to come up with innovative solutions for interaction problems.
  • Develop decision-making skills, being able to justify design decisions.
  • Enhance oral and written communication skills.
  • Develop teamwork and time management skills.

General characterization

Code

10796

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Teresa Isabel Lopes Romão

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 56

Teaching language

Português

Prerequisites

Available soon

Bibliography

Recommended

  • Gonçalves, D., Fonseca, M.J., and Campos, P., Introdução ao Design de Interfaces. FCA, 2017.
  • Norman, D., The Design of Everyday Things. MIT Press, 1998.
  • Nielsen, J., Usability Engineering, Academic Press, 1993.
  • Dix, A., Finlay, J., Abowd, G. and Beale, R., Human-Computer Interaction. Prentice Hall Europe, London, 2003.

Complementary

  • Buxton B., Sketching User Experiences, Morgan Kaufman, 2007.
  • Mullet, K. and Sano, D., Designing Visual Interfaces, Prentice Hall, 1995.
  • Tufte, E., Envisioning Information, Cheshire, Connecticut Graphic Press, 2003.

Teaching method

In the theoretical lectures the course content is presented, illustrated with application examples. The lab classes are intended for presentation and implementation of the practical work regarding the content exposed during theoretical lectures.

Evaluation method

The evaluation of the course consists of two components: the theoretical and practical component (composed by two mid-term written individual in person tests) and the lab or project component (composed by one practical work, which accounts for a project to develop the user interface for an interactive system).

For frequency, it is necessary: lab or project component >= 10. Discussions of the practical works will be done at the end of the semester, only with students who may have frequency.

Final grade formula:

 - Final_grade = 35%Test1 + 35%Test2 + 30%Prat_Work(Proj)

Course approval requires the following minimal grades:

(mean (Test1; Test2) >= 9,5) AND (Prat_Work >= 10) 

Students approved in the lab component (project) and not approved in the tests may also perform a final exam, which grade replaces the grades of the tests in the final grade formula.

During the individual written evaluation test and exams, students are not allowed to consult any materials. Failure to comply with this rule leads to the automatic cancellation of the evaluation test or exam.

Frequency obtained in previous years:

Students who have obtained frequency in 2020/21 or 2021/22 automatically obtain frequency, and do not need to do the practical work (project) in the current academic year (2022/2023), not signing up for practical classes.

Note: Grades for tests and exams are rounded to one decimal place. Grades for practical work are rounded to the nearest integer.

Evaluation dates:

Test1 - to be announced

Test2 - to be announced

First prototype evaluation  (mandatory class) - to be announced

Final presentation and discussion - to be announced


Subject matter

  1. Introduction - Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): What? Why? When?
  2. Usability principles
  3. Characteristics of interactive systems
  4. Human factors in the HCI
  5. User centered design and iterative design process
  6. User and task analysis
  7. Sketching and prototyping
  8. Interaction design principles
  9. Visual design
  10. Evaluation methods
  11. Interaction styles and paradigms
  12. Future perspectives

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: