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David Joyner

This course takes you through the first eight lessons of CS6750: Human-Computer Interaction as taught in the Georgia Tech Online Master of Science in Computer Science program.

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This course takes you through the first eight lessons of CS6750: Human-Computer Interaction as taught in the Georgia Tech Online Master of Science in Computer Science program.

In this course, you’ll take the first steps toward being a solid HCI practitioner and researcher. You’ll learn the fundamentals of how HCI relates to fields like user experience design, user interface design, human factors engineering, and psychology. You’ll also learn how human-computer interaction has influence across application domains like healthcare and education; technology development like virtual and augmented reality; and broader ideas like context-sensitive computing and information visualization.

You’ll then dive into the fundamentals of human-computer interaction. You’ll learn three views of the user’s role in interface design: the behaviorist ‘processor’ view, the cognitivist ‘predictor’ view, and the situationist ‘participant’ view. You’ll discover how these different views of the user’s role affect the scope we use to evaluate interaction. These perspectives will be crucial as you move forward in designing interfaces to ensure you’re considering what goes on inside the user’s head, as well as in the environment around them.

You’ll then learn the gulfs of execution and evaluation, which determine how easily the user can accomplish their goals in a system and how well they can understand the results of their actions. All of user interface design can be seen as taking steps to bridge these gulfs. You’ll also investigate the notion of direct manipulation, which shortens the distance between the user and the objects they are manipulating in the interface. With these tools, you’ll be well-equipped to start designing effective interfaces.

You’ll then take a deeper dive into what humans are even capable of accomplishing. You’ll learn the limitations of human sensing and memory and how we must be aware of the cognitive load we introduce on the user while using our interfaces. Cognitive load can have an enormous impact on a user’s satisfaction with an interface, and must be kept in mind as you begin your career as a designer.

You’ll finally conclude with an overview of the major design principles in human-computer interaction. Curated from the work of Don Norman, Jakob Nielsen, Ronald Mace, Larry Constantine, and Lucy Lockwood, these design principles cover revolutionary ideas in the design of interfaces: discoverability, affordances, perceptibility, constraints, error tolerance, and more. These principles are crucial whether you move forward as a designer, an evaluator, a front-end engineer, or any other role in technology design.

By the end of the course, you’ll have an understanding of where HCI sits in the broader field, a grasp of the goals of HCI, and a foundation in core principles that inform interface design.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • The overall goals of human-computer interaction.
  • The relationship between hci, user experience design, human factors engineering, and psychology.
  • The relevance of hci to domains like healthcare, education, and cybersecurity.
  • The trends in hci technology including virtual reality, augmented reality, and robotics.
  • The emerging ideas in hci research, such as context-sensitive computing, gesture-based interaction, and social computing.
  • The three main schools of thought in hci: the processor, predictor, and participant views.
  • The feedback cycle in user interaction, including gulfs of execution and evaluation.
  • The notion of directness in interaction, and the role of direct manipulation.
  • The strengths and limitations of the human user, including sensation and memory.
  • The role of design principles and heuristics in user interface design.
  • The most important principles for design, including discoverability, affordances, perceptibility, and error tolerance.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Meant for learners seeking an introduction to human-computer interaction
Strengthens foundational knowledge for students pursuing a Computer Science degree
Provides a deep understanding of human-computer interaction principles
Prepares learners to bridge the gulfs of execution and evaluation in HCI
Applicable for diverse industries like healthcare, education, and cybersecurity

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Reviews summary

Well-received hci introduction

Learners say that this accessible and engaging course provides an easy-to-follow introduction to human-computer interaction. The many examples and real-world applications help students understand the concepts and their relevance. The course is well-organized and easy to navigate, making it a great choice for those new to HCI.
The course is well-structured and easy to navigate, with clear deadlines.
"Well organized."
"This course is highly recommended. I like that the course is divided into several small chunks which makes it easier to learn."
"I highly recommend anyone interested in design in tech, HCI, and UX UI design to take this course!"
The interactive assignments and collaborative projects help students actively engage with the material.
"I liked that this course was very accomodating for one's own personal opinion and that we were able to collaborate with others frequently."
"An added benefit was suggested reading material that supplemented the course material and gave a more in-depth understanding of the material."
"This is a course you will want to continue in front of your desk, and you will be excited about the knowledge you are discovering!"
The lectures are presented in a clear and engaging way, with plenty of helpful visuals.
"The instructor presented the course material in a very engaging way."
"The video lectures along with the transcripts are very helpful in learning the core concepts of HCI."
"The way he lectures us is so fascinating and interesting."
The course includes numerous real-world examples that help illustrate the concepts and make them relevant.
"Lots of examples are given in this course."
"The many Principles of Interaction Design sourced from different authors and merged into 15 by David really revealed a lot of real-life situations regarding how interfaces affect usability."
"Profound theories are always followed by examples making them easy to understand!"
There are some gaps in the coverage of certain topics, and some learners may need to supplement their learning.
"I would like to see all the reading materials consolidated in one area for ease of access."

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 Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles with these activities:
Review Cognitive Psychology Concepts
Strengthen your understanding of cognitive psychology principles, which are fundamental to understanding user behavior and designing effective interfaces.
Browse courses on Cognitive Psychology
Show steps
  • Review key concepts in cognitive psychology, such as perception, attention, memory, and problem-solving.
  • Relate cognitive psychology concepts to HCI design principles and best practices.
Practice Human-Computer Interaction Concepts
Solidify your foundational knowledge of HCI by practicing key concepts and applying them to real-world examples.
Show steps
  • Review the three views of the user's role in interface design.
  • Identify and analyze the gulfs of execution and evaluation in a given user interface.
  • Apply the principles of direct manipulation to improve the usability of a website or app.
Explore Emerging HCI Technologies
Stay up-to-date with the latest HCI technologies and their implications for user experience by following reputable tutorials and resources.
Browse courses on virtual reality
Show steps
  • Identify a specific emerging HCI technology.
  • Find and follow tutorials or online courses that provide hands-on experience with the technology.
  • Build a prototype or experiment to demonstrate your understanding of the technology.
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Solve HCI Design Challenges
Sharpen your HCI design skills by tackling real-world challenges and evaluating your solutions against industry best practices.
Browse courses on Usability Testing
Show steps
  • Identify a usability issue in a website or app.
  • Propose a solution to address the issue, based on HCI design principles.
  • Evaluate your solution against established usability metrics.
  • Optional: Present your solution to peers or instructors for feedback.
Develop a HCI Research Proposal
Deepen your understanding of HCI research methods and demonstrate your ability to design and conduct a research study.
Show steps
  • Identify a research topic in HCI that you are passionate about.
  • Review relevant literature and develop a research question.
  • Design a research study, including the methodology, participants, and data collection methods.
  • Write a research proposal that outlines your study plan.

Career center

Learners who complete Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
User Researcher
User Researchers conduct research on users to understand their needs, behaviors, and motivations. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles can provide a foundation in the field of HCI and teach the methods and techniques used in user research.
Information Architect
Information Architects design and organize websites and other digital products to make them easy to find and use. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles provides a foundation in the field of HCI and teaches design principles and best practices that can be applied to information architecture.
Web Developer
Web Developers design and develop websites. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles provides a foundation in the field of HCI and teaches design principles and best practices that can be applied to web development.
Interaction Designer
Interaction Designers create interactive experiences for websites and applications, focusing on the user's experience and how they interact with the product. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles can provide a foundation in the field of HCI and teach the principles of interaction design.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the planning, development, and launch of new products. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles can provide a foundation in the field of HCI and teach the principles of user experience design, which is essential for Product Managers.
Human Factors Engineer
Human Factors Engineers research, design, and evaluate products and systems for human use, considering human capabilities and limitations. This course could prove useful for someone who wants to become a Human Factors Engineer, as it introduces the field of HCI and covers topics such as cognitive load, user errors, and design principles.
Game Designer
Game Designers create the overall concept and design of video games. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles provides a foundation in the field of HCI and teaches design principles that can be applied to game design.
Frontend Developer
Frontend Developers design and build the user interface for websites and applications. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles provides a foundation in the field of HCI and teaches design principles and best practices that can be applied to frontend development.
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers plan and create experiences and interfaces for company websites and applications, software programs, and more. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles provides a solid understanding of the field of HCI, and how it relates to UX design. This could prove useful to someone who wants to go into UX design.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers plan and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles may be useful for someone who wants to become a Marketing Manager, as it introduces the field of HCI and covers topics such as user experience design and user research.
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designers develop and deliver learning experiences for students. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles may be useful for someone who wants to become an Instructional Designer, as it introduces the field of HCI and covers topics such as user experience design and user research.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles may be useful for someone who wants to become a Software Engineer, as it introduces the field of HCI and covers topics such as user experience design and user research.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers lead and manage sales teams to achieve sales goals. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles may be useful for someone who wants to become a Sales Manager, as it introduces the field of HCI and covers topics such as user experience design and user research.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation and other materials to explain complex technical information. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles may be useful for someone who wants to become a Technical Writer, as it introduces the field of HCI and covers topics such as user experience design and user research.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make informed decisions. Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles may be useful for someone who wants to become a Data Scientist, as it introduces the field of HCI and covers topics such as human cognition, perception, and decision-making.

Reading list

We've selected 21 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 Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals & Design Principles.
This classic book on UX design provides a practical guide to designing user-centered products and services. It is essential reading for anyone involved in HCI.
Provides a comprehensive overview of interaction design, covering topics such as user-centered design, design thinking, and prototyping. It valuable resource for students and practitioners alike.
Provides a practical guide to UX design, covering topics such as user research, prototyping, and iterative design. It valuable resource for students and practitioners alike.
A practical guide to designing user-friendly interfaces. provides step-by-step instructions on how to conduct user research, create prototypes, and evaluate your designs. It is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn how to design better interfaces.
Provides a practical guide to web usability, covering topics such as navigation, layout, and typography. It valuable resource for anyone involved in web design.
A guide to conducting user research and designing user-friendly interfaces for small teams. provides practical advice on how to get started with user research, create prototypes, and test your designs. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to improve the user experience of their products.
This seminal work on design explores the principles of good design and how they can be applied to everyday objects. It must-read for anyone interested in HCI.
Provides a practical guide to user research, covering topics such as planning, conducting, and analyzing user research studies. It valuable resource for anyone involved in HCI.
Explores the impact of computers on our lives and how we can design them to be more humane. It thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the future of HCI.
Provides a practical guide to design principles that can be applied to a wide range of design disciplines, including HCI. It valuable resource for students and practitioners alike.
A classic book on web usability. provides practical advice on how to make your website easier to use. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to design better websites.
Explores the role of emotion in design and how we can use it to create more engaging and satisfying products and services. It valuable resource for anyone involved in HCI.
A classic book on design. provides insights into how people interact with everyday objects. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to design better products.
A book that explores the role of emotion in design. provides insights into how people interact with products on an emotional level. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to design more emotionally appealing products.
A book that explores the principles of universal design. provides insights into how to design products and environments that are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to design more inclusive products and environments.
A book that explores the ethical implications of design. provides insights into how to design products and environments that are respectful of human values. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to design more ethical products and environments.
Provides a practical introduction to psychology for designers, covering topics such as perception, attention, and memory, offering valuable insights for understanding human behavior and designing effective user interfaces.

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