Human-Computer Interaction from Udacity

What's inside

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?

In this lesson, we introduce the specific administration of this class. This covers the learning goals, outcomes, strategies, and (for Georgia Tech students) assessments for the course.

In this overview, we preview the various places we might apply the HCI principles that we learn, from new technologies like virtual reality to domain areas like healthcare.

In the first lesson of Unit 2, we introduce the fundamental principles of human-computer interaction, emphasizing the evolving way we think about the user and their role in the systems we design.

The foundational unit of analysis in HCI is feedback cycles. Feedback cycles are ubiquitous, and nearly everything we discuss in HCI can be thought of in terms of building good feedback cycles.

When we design interfaces, we often rely on a user using some controller or device to interact with the object of the task. With direct manipulation, we minimize the visibility of that controller.

What humans can do with interfaces are governed by their cognitive and physical constraints. In this lesson, we cover limitations on cognition, memory, and physical interaction.

The HCI community has a long and rich history, and that history has developed a number of well-defined principles to leverage in designing new interfaces. We cover 15 of these in this lesson.

A user's interaction with an interface is dependent on their mental model matching the model of the world. Representations are our primary tool for ensuring the user's mental model matches the world.

To design effective interfaces, we need to understand the tasks users are completing at a fine level. With different forms of task analysis, we can describe users' behavior objectively and in detail.

Many artifacts that we design do more than help the user; they actually extend the user's cognition. Interfaces can perform cognitive functions like memory and reasoning on their own.

Every design we create affects the world in both expected and unforeseen ways. In this lesson, we discuss how interfaces can be designed to create social change, and how they might do so by accident.

In this lesson, we wrap up the principles we have covered and draw connections amongst them, like how our analysis of a user's task can point to opportunities to leverage certain design principles.

In the first lesson of Unit 3, we cover the overall cycle for user research. The principles help us design good interfaces quickly, but we must get data from real users to design effective interfaces.

As researchers, we are governed by ethical guidelines about what we may do with our research subjects. University research is governed by review boards, and many companies have such boards, too.

In order to design effective interfaces, we must start with the user: we should never assume we know what the user wants until we have investigated their needs and requirements.

Once we know a bit about what the user needs, it is crucial that we go through a deliberate phase of brainstorming possible designs to avoid fixating on a single solution too early.

Once we have designs in mind, we want to start gathering feedback quickly. We can't wait for complete interfaces to be created, so we create prototypes rapidly to get feedback as soon as possible.

Once we have those prototypes, we can actually evaluate them through qualitative, empirical, and predictive evaluations depending on the maturity of our prototype and the type of feedback we need.

Agile development has taken the world by storm, and it has a number of natural alignments with: both emphasize involving the user, constantly getting feedback, and revising quickly.

In this lesson, we wrap up the methods unit of the course. To do so, we talk through how we might apply the design life cycle to a real design problem.

In this library, we provide resources on a number of emerging technologies in HCI, including virtual reality, augmented reality, ubiquitous computing, wearables, robotics, and mobile devices.

In this library, we provide resources on a number of big ideas in HCI, including context-sensitive computing, gesture-based interaction, information visualization, and social computing.

In this library, we provide resources on a number of domains to which HCI applies, including healthcare, education, security, gaming, and people with special needs.

In this lesson, we recap the principles and methods of HCI. Remember, repetition is the heart of memory: by repeatedly loading it into short-term memory, it is more durable in your long-term memory.

If you loved HCI, as much as we do, you're probably curious what to do next. In this lesson, we cover some fields that are related to HCI for your further study.

Finally, if you want to take your next steps in HCI, you need to know where to go. From MOOCs to dedicated Master's programs to a PhD, we close the course by covering what you might do next.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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