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Scott Klemmer

In this course, you will learn relevant fundamentals of human motor performance, perception, and cognition that inform effective interaction design. You will use these models of how people work to design more effective input and interaction techniques. You’ll apply these to both traditional graphic and gestural interfaces.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Input
There’s more to interfaces than what’s on the screen. While often overlooked, input deserves to be on equal footing with its more popular sibling, output. Also, input is a rare case where we can model user behavior mathematically. In this module, you’ll learn how good input is more than just preference, trace input from the fingertip to the screen, and think about the diversity of possible input devices and their relative merits.
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Search & Navigation
We live in an information-rich world. Consequently, the hardest part of interaction is often finding what we want or finding something that we didn’t know what to ask for. From e-commerce to digital libraries, good search design is central to human-computer interaction in the 21st century.
Gestural Interfaces
The graphical user interface with windows, icons, menus, and pointers (WIMP) was a massive advance beyond the command line. It also took 20 years to go from research labs into people’s homes. We’re in the midst of a new sea change now. Gestural interfaces can be even more direct and more natural. They can also be even more frustrating. In this module, you’ll learn how to tell the difference and design gestural interfaces that work.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Covers foundational concepts in human motor performance, perception, and cognition that inform effective interaction design
Taught by renowned instructors, Scott Klemmer, in the field of human-computer interaction
Provides a practical approach by utilizing models of how people work to design more effective input and interaction techniques
Covers both traditional graphic and gestural interfaces, providing a comprehensive understanding of input and interaction design
Focuses on improving user experience by designing more effective input and interaction techniques
Provides a solid foundation for individuals interested in pursuing careers in interaction design

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Reviews summary

Interactive course with lackluster explanations

According to students, Input and Interaction incorporates engaging assignments, especially the video assignment. Learners also generally agree that the quizzes are difficult. However, lectures on the Fitts' Law formula in particular may need improvement, as some learners report not fully understanding the concept after the initial explanations.
Students say the course assignments and videos are engaging.
"I felt... the video assignment was challenging but fun."
Learners found the quizzes challenging.
"The quiz was nothing but Fitts Law calculations."
"I didn't grasp the concept as well as I'd like to have."
The course explanations, especially for Fitts' Law, were found to be lackluster.
"I felt that Professor Klemmer should have demonstrated plugging actual numbers into the Fitts' Law formula."
"He described how it was invented and why but didn't actually demo it."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Input and Interaction with these activities:
Watch online tutorials on human-computer interaction.
Complement your coursework with additional resources to deepen your understanding of HCI principles.
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials on human-computer interaction on platforms such as YouTube or Coursera.
  • Choose tutorials that cover topics that you are interested in or that you need to strengthen your understanding of.
  • Follow the steps in the tutorials to learn about different HCI concepts and techniques.
Read "The Design of Everyday Things"
Become familiar with the principles of design that shape the way people interact with objects and systems.
Show steps
  • Read through chapters 1-5.
  • Identify and analyze examples of good and bad design in everyday objects.
  • Discuss the implications of these principles for your own design work.
Draw sketches of user interfaces for different tasks.
Gain practice in translating ideas and concepts into visual representations.
Browse courses on Sketching
Show steps
  • Choose a task that you want to design a user interface for.
  • Brainstorm different ideas for how to design the interface.
  • Sketch out your ideas using pen and paper or a digital tool.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Attend a workshop on user experience design.
Gain hands-on experience and learn from industry professionals.
Browse courses on User Experience Design
Show steps
  • Search for workshops on user experience design in your area or online.
  • Choose a workshop that aligns with your interests and learning goals.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities and discussions.
Write a blog post or article about a topic related to human-computer interaction.
Enhance your understanding and communication skills by explaining HCI concepts to others.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific topic related to human-computer interaction that you want to write about.
  • Research the topic to gather information and insights.
  • Organize your thoughts and structure your article or blog post.
  • Write a draft of your article or blog post.
  • Revise and edit your work.
Design a user interface for a mobile application.
Apply your knowledge of human-computer interaction to create a user interface that is both usable and visually appealing.
Browse courses on Mobile Application Design
Show steps
  • Choose a specific task or set of tasks that the user interface will support.
  • Research existing mobile applications that perform similar tasks.
  • Develop a storyboard or flow chart to illustrate the user flow through the interface.
  • Create a high-fidelity prototype of the user interface using a design tool such as Sketch or Figma.
  • Test the prototype with users to gather feedback and iterate on the design.
Participate in a hackathon or design competition.
Test your skills and collaborate with others to create innovative solutions.
Show steps
  • Find a hackathon or design competition that aligns with your interests and skills.
  • Form a team or work individually.
  • Brainstorm ideas and develop a prototype.
  • Submit your project and present it to a panel of judges.

Career center

Learners who complete Input and Interaction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
User Experience Designer
User Experience (UX) Designers build a foundation in human motor performance, perception, and cognition to create seamless, intuitive, and engaging user interfaces. This course strengthens their skillset, particularly in understanding how people interact with input devices and explore different interaction methods. By learning about search and navigation techniques and the design principles of gestural interfaces, UX Designers can create user experiences that are both effective and enjoyable.
Interaction Designer
Interaction Designers specialize in designing and developing interactive experiences. This course enhances their expertise by providing a comprehensive understanding of human-computer interaction, particularly in the context of input and interaction techniques. Through modules on search and navigation, gestural interfaces, and input devices, Interaction Designers gain valuable insights to create engaging and intuitive user interfaces.
Human Factors Engineer
Human Factors Engineers focus on designing products, systems, and environments that are compatible with human needs and capabilities. This course directly aligns with their field by providing a deep dive into human motor performance, perception, and cognition. By understanding how people interact with technology, Human Factors Engineers can make informed decisions about interface design and improve the overall user experience.
Cognitive Scientist
Cognitive Scientists study the mind and its processes. This course complements their training by providing a solid understanding of how humans perceive, process, and respond to information. By exploring topics such as search and navigation, gestural interfaces, and input devices, Cognitive Scientists gain insights into human-computer interaction, enabling them to develop innovative solutions that enhance cognitive performance.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers specializing in user interface development can benefit from this course. It provides them with a theoretical foundation in human-computer interaction, specifically in the areas of input and interaction techniques. By understanding the principles of search and navigation, gestural interfaces, and input devices, Software Engineers can create more user-centric and effective software applications.
Product Designer
Product Designers benefit from this course as it provides a strong foundation in human-centered design principles. By understanding how people interact with products, Product Designers can create products that are not only functional but also intuitive and enjoyable to use. The course's focus on input and interaction techniques, search and navigation, and gestural interfaces equips Product Designers with the knowledge to develop innovative and user-friendly products.
Web Designer
Web Designers responsible for creating user interfaces can enhance their skills with this course. It provides a comprehensive understanding of input and interaction techniques, helping them design websites that are both visually appealing and easy to navigate. By learning about search and navigation, gestural interfaces, and input devices, Web Designers can create user experiences that are tailored to the specific needs of their target audience.
UX Researcher
UX Researchers play a critical role in understanding user needs and behaviors. This course provides them with a strong foundation in human-computer interaction, particularly in the context of input and interaction techniques. By learning about search and navigation, gestural interfaces, and input devices, UX Researchers can develop more effective research methods and gather deeper insights into user experiences.
Graphic designer
Graphic Designers can expand their knowledge of human-computer interaction through this course. It provides insights into how people perceive and interact with visual information, which is crucial for designing effective visual interfaces. By understanding the principles of input and interaction techniques, search and navigation, and gestural interfaces, Graphic Designers can create visually appealing and engaging designs that meet the needs of their users.
Information Architect
Information Architects can gain valuable knowledge from this course to enhance their understanding of user behavior and interaction patterns. It provides a solid foundation in human-computer interaction, with a focus on input and interaction techniques. By learning about search and navigation, gestural interfaces, and input devices, Information Architects can design information systems that are intuitive, efficient, and accessible to users.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists who focus on human-computer interaction can benefit from this course. It provides a comprehensive understanding of how people interact with data and technology, enabling them to develop more effective data visualization and analysis tools. By learning about search and navigation, gestural interfaces, and input devices, Data Scientists can create data-driven solutions that are both informative and user-friendly.
Computer Vision Engineer
Computer Vision Engineers working on human-centered applications can gain valuable insights from this course. It provides a comprehensive overview of how people perceive and interact with visual information. By understanding the principles of input and interaction techniques, search and navigation, and gestural interfaces, Computer Vision Engineers can design and develop systems that are more intuitive and user-friendly.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers specializing in human-machine interaction can benefit from this course. It provides a foundational understanding of human motor performance, perception, and cognition, which is essential for designing effective machine learning systems. By learning about search and navigation, gestural interfaces, and input devices, Machine Learning Engineers can develop models that are more intuitive and easier for humans to interact with.
Artificial Intelligence Engineer
Artificial Intelligence Engineers working on human-centered AI applications can gain valuable knowledge from this course. It provides a solid foundation in human-computer interaction, with a focus on input and interaction techniques. By understanding how people perceive, process, and respond to information, Artificial Intelligence Engineers can develop AI systems that are more user-friendly and effective.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers who focus on human-robot interaction can benefit from this course. It provides a deep dive into human motor performance, perception, and cognition, which is crucial for designing robots that are safe, efficient, and easy to use. By learning about search and navigation, gestural interfaces, and input devices, Robotics Engineers can develop robots that are more responsive and intuitive.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Input and Interaction.
This specialized book on search design provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and techniques for designing effective search experiences. It would be particularly valuable for the Search & Navigation module of the course.
This practical guide to interaction design provides a comprehensive overview of the design process, from concept development to prototyping and evaluation.
Presents a comprehensive overview of HCI models, theories, and frameworks, providing a solid theoretical foundation for the course.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of human motor control, including the neural, biomechanical, and cognitive processes involved in movement. It would serve as a valuable background resource for understanding the human performance models discussed in the course.
Explores the use of gesture and sign language in human-computer interaction, covering both theoretical and practical aspects. It would provide valuable insights into the design of gestural interfaces discussed in the course.
Explores the principles and practices of universal access in HCI, providing insights into designing inclusive interfaces for users with diverse needs.
Offers an in-depth exploration of the cognitive and neural processes underlying perception, covering topics such as visual perception, auditory perception, and multisensory integration. It would provide a solid foundation for understanding the perceptual aspects of interaction design discussed in the course.
This introductory textbook provides a comprehensive overview of cognitive psychology, including topics such as attention, memory, language, and problem-solving. It would serve as a helpful resource for understanding the cognitive models that inform interaction design.
This practical introduction to natural language processing with Python provides a foundation for understanding the computational aspects of language and its applications in human-computer interaction.

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