Human-Computer Interaction from Udacity

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Syllabus

An introduction to the course topics: what is human-computer interaction, and how does it relate to other fields like human factors engineering and user experience design?

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Introduces students to the principles and practices of human-computer interaction (HCI), providing a solid foundation in this field

Covers a wide range of topics in HCI, including user experience design, task analysis, and design principles

Utilizes a practical approach through user research and prototyping, giving students hands-on experience in designing effective interfaces

Provides access to resources on emerging technologies and design trends in HCI, keeping students up-to-date with industry advancements

Can be beneficial for students interested in pursuing further studies or careers in HCI, providing a solid foundation and guidance for next steps

Some topics may require prior knowledge or experience in related fields such as computer science or design, which could be a consideration for students without such background

Reviews summary

Foundational human-computer interaction principles and theory

According to students, this course offers a largely positive and comprehensive introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Learners frequently praise the engaging instructor and the clear, well-structured lectures that effectively demystify complex concepts. Many find it an excellent starting point for beginners, providing a solid theoretical foundation vital for fields like UX/UI design and product management. However, some reviewers note its strong theoretical emphasis, desiring more hands-on activities or practical applications. A few recent reviews also suggest that some examples may feel outdated, particularly concerning emerging technologies, though the core principles remain relevant.

Serves as a strong introduction, not a deep dive into advanced topics.

"Good overview, but definitely an intro. If you're looking for deep dives into specific tools or advanced techniques, this isn't it."

"If you have some background in design or psychology, this might feel too introductory."

"I gained a solid foundation, though I knew it was more about the 'why' than the 'how' for user experience."

Perfectly suited for those new to the field of Human-Computer Interaction.

"Good course for beginners. It covers a lot of ground quickly, perhaps a bit too fast in some areas."

"As a complete beginner, this course demystified HCI for me."

"Incredible value for a free course! ... It's an excellent starting point for anyone new to the field."

The instructor's clarity, passion, and teaching style are highly praised.

"Absolutely brilliant! The instructor is a gem. I loved the way he simplified complex ideas into digestible lessons."

"The instructor was engaging and explained complex concepts well. Highly recommend!"

"The instructor's passion for the subject shines through. The principles covered are fundamental and applicable across various domains."

Provides a strong and thorough theoretical grounding in HCI.

"This course was a fantastic introduction to HCI principles. The lectures were clear and the examples were highly relevant. I especially enjoyed how it covered both theory and practical applications, giving me a solid foundation..."

"The course covers the core concepts thoroughly and the instructor is very clear. The focus on feedback cycles and mental models was incredibly helpful. It's a great starting point."

"As an aspiring UX designer, this course was exactly what I needed. It broke down complex HCI concepts into manageable pieces. The principles are timeless and applicable."

Some course examples or case studies may feel slightly old-fashioned.

"I felt some parts of the material, especially on emerging tech, could use an update."

"Quite basic and a bit outdated. Some of the examples felt old."

"My only minor gripe is that some of the case studies felt a little dated, but the principles themselves are timeless."

Leans heavily on theoretical concepts, with less hands-on application.

"The course is OK, but it's very theoretical. I was hoping for more hands-on projects or case studies to apply the concepts."

"Average course. The initial modules were good, but it felt like it dragged on a bit towards the end. Some parts were very theoretical..."

"Expected more practical examples. It's heavy on theory, which is fine, but I prefer learning by doing."

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 with these activities:

Read and summarize a book on HCI

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Enhance your understanding of fundamental HCI concepts by reading and summarizing a book dedicated to this field.

View Le design des objets du quotidien on Amazon

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Identify a reputable book on Human-Computer Interaction.
Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Summarize the main ideas and principles from the book.

Follow a tutorial or course on a specific HCI topic

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Expand your knowledge of HCI by following a tutorial or course on a specific topic that interests you.

Browse courses on Human-Computer Interaction

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Identify an HCI topic you want to learn more about.
Search for reputable tutorials or courses on that topic.
Review the material and complete the exercises or assignments.

Form a study group with classmates to discuss course material

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Engage in collaborative learning by forming a study group to discuss course material, share insights, and prepare for assessments.

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Identify classmates with complementary skills and interests.
Establish regular meeting times and locations.
Create a shared platform or repository for notes and resources.
Actively participate in discussions and share perspectives.
Provide constructive feedback and support to group members.

Four other activities

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Design a user interface for a specific task or scenario

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Design a user interface for a specific task or scenario to apply HCI principles and demonstrate your understanding of user-centered design.

Browse courses on User Interface Design

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Define the task or scenario for the user interface.
Conduct user research to understand user needs and preferences.
Sketch and iterate on design ideas.
Develop a high-fidelity prototype of the user interface.
Evaluate the user interface with users.

Conduct heuristic evaluation of common websites and apps

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Conduct a heuristic evaluation of various websites and apps to improve your understanding of HCI principles and find examples of good and bad design choices.

Browse courses on Heuristic Evaluation

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Identify a list of 5-10 common websites or apps to evaluate.
Review the 10 Heuristic Principles.
Apply the 10 Heuristic Principles to your chosen websites or apps.
Identify specific examples of both good and bad design choices for each principle.

Create an interactive prototype using a prototyping tool

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Create an interactive prototype of a user interface to gain hands-on experience with the design process and test your ideas with users.

Browse courses on Prototyping

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Choose a prototyping tool (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD).
Design the user interface for a specific task or scenario.
Develop the prototype using the prototyping tool.
Conduct user testing with the prototype to gather feedback.
Refine the prototype based on user feedback.

Design and develop a mobile app or website

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Apply your HCI knowledge by designing and developing a mobile app or website that solves a real-world problem.

Browse courses on Mobile App Development

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Identify a problem or need that can be addressed through a mobile app or website.
Conduct user research to understand the target users.
Design and prototype the app or website.
Develop and test the app or website.
Launch and iterate on the app or website based on user feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Human-Computer Interaction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Interaction Designer

Interaction Designers create the user interface and user experience of products and services. They work with a team of other designers, engineers, and product managers to create a seamless and user-friendly experience. Interaction Designers typically need a bachelor's degree in interaction design, human-computer interaction, or a related field. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course could be a good fit for someone who wants to become an Interaction Designer, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

User Experience (UX) Designer

User Experience (UX) Designers create and evaluate user interfaces and experiences for products and services. They work with a team of other designers, engineers, and product managers to create a seamless and user-friendly experience. UX Designers typically need a bachelor's degree in UX design, human-computer interaction, or a related field. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to a UX Designer, as it can provide them with a better understanding of the principles of human-computer interaction.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience (UX) Designer

Human Factors Engineer

Human Factors Engineers design and evaluate products and systems to make them more user-friendly and efficient. They may work in a variety of industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation. Human Factors Engineers typically need a bachelor's or master's degree in human factors engineering, psychology, or a related field. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to a Human Factors Engineer, as it can provide them with a deeper understanding of the principles of human-computer interaction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Factors Engineer

Usability Analyst

Usability Analysts evaluate the usability of products and services. They work with a team of other designers, engineers, and product managers to identify and address usability issues. Usability Analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in human-computer interaction, psychology, or a related field. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to a Usability Analyst, as it can provide them with a better understanding of the principles of human-computer interaction and usability testing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Usability Analyst

Product Designer

Product Designers create and develop products, from physical products to digital products and services. They work with a team of other designers, engineers, and product managers to bring their vision to life. Product Designers typically need a bachelor's degree in product design, industrial design, or a related field. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course could be a good fit for someone who wants to become a Product Designer, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Front-End Developer

Front-End Developers design and develop the user interface of websites and web applications. They typically work with a team of other developers, designers, and content writers to create a seamless and user-friendly experience. Front-End Developers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to a Front-End Developer, as it can provide them with a better understanding of how users interact with different types of interfaces.

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Software Developer

Software Developers design, develop, and maintain software applications and systems. They work with a team of other developers, engineers, and product managers to create and maintain software that meets the needs of users. Software Developers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to a Software Developer, as it can provide them with a better understanding of how users interact with different types of software and interfaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Games Designer

Games Designers create the gameplay and mechanics of video games. They work with a team of artists, programmers, and other designers to bring their vision to life. Games Designers typically need a bachelor's degree in game design or a related field. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to a Games Designer, as it can provide them with a better understanding of how users interact with different types of game interfaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Games Designer

Program Manager

Program Managers plan and execute projects, from small projects to large-scale initiatives. They work with a team of other project managers, engineers, and stakeholders to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. Program Managers typically need a bachelor's degree in project management or a related field. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to a Program Manager, as it can provide them with a better understanding of how users interact with different types of software and applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and develop technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. They work with a team of other writers, engineers, and product managers to ensure that technical documentation is clear, accurate, and easy to understand. Technical Writers typically need a bachelor's degree in technical writing or a related field. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to a Technical Writer, as it can provide them with a better understanding of how users interact with different types of documentation and interfaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers create and develop educational materials and experiences. They may work in a variety of settings, such as schools, businesses, and government agencies. Instructional Designers typically need a bachelor's degree in education or a related field. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to an Instructional Designer, as it can provide them with a better understanding of how users interact with different types of learning materials and interfaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make decisions. They may work in a variety of industries, such as healthcare, finance, and marketing. Data Scientists typically need a master's or doctoral degree in a related field, such as statistics, computer science, or mathematics. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to a Data Scientist, as it can provide them with a better understanding of how users interact with data and data visualizations.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct research on a variety of topics, from social sciences to natural sciences. They may work in a variety of settings, such as universities, research labs, and government agencies. Researchers typically need a master's or doctoral degree in their field of study. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to a Researcher, as it can provide them with a better understanding of how users interact with different types of interfaces and technologies.

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Computer Science Teacher

Computer Science Teachers teach students about computer science concepts, such as programming, data structures, and algorithms. They may work at the elementary, secondary, or post-secondary levels. Computer Science Teachers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, as well as a teaching certification. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to a Computer Science Teacher, as it can provide them with a better understanding of how users interact with different types of software and interfaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Science Teacher

Computer-Aided Design Engineer

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Engineers use software to design and develop products and systems, including physical components. They may work in a variety of industries, such as manufacturing, architecture, and engineering. CAD Engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as mechanical or electrical engineering, or computer science. Udacity's Human-Computer Interaction course may be useful to a CAD Engineer, as it can provide them with a better understanding of how users interact with different types of interfaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer-Aided Design Engineer

Human-Computer Interaction

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Foundational human-computer interaction principles and theory

Activities

Career center

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