6PHCI Module 1

Introduction to Human Computer Interaction

Principles of Human Computer Interaction

2nd Semester (SY 2024-2025)
Assistant Professor Kathrine S. Aguilar, MIS
What is HCI?
• HCI (human-computer interaction) is the study of interaction
between people (users) & computers.

• Interaction between users & computers occurs at the user interface.

• It encompasses the design, evaluation, & implementation of

interactive computing systems, with a focus on making these
systems easy, efficient, & enjoyable for users to use.

• The golden principle in HCI is that “people should come first”.

History of HCI
HCI has evolved significantly since the 1960s, driven by advances in
computing technology & the understanding of human cognition.
Here’s a brief history:
• 1960s-1970s: Early stages focused on command-line interfaces
and basic interaction.
• 1980s: The introduction of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) like
the Macintosh & Windows made computers more accessible to
non-technical users.
• 1990s: The internet & multimedia applications led to new
challenges in HCI, focusing on web design & online interaction.
• 2000s-present: The rise of mobile devices, touch interfaces,
virtual reality (VR), & artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed
how users interact with computers.
History of HCI
History of HCI
Elements Involved in HCI
• Computer • Human
 Elements Involved in HCI: Computer
• A computer system comprises various elements, each of which affects
the user of the system.

• Input devices for interactive use, allowing text entry, drawing &
selection from the screen:
üText entry: traditional keyboard, phone text entry, speech &
handwriting
üPointing: principally the mouse, but also touch pad, stylus, & others
ü3D interaction devices

• Output display devices for interactive use:

• Different types of screen mostly using some form of bitmap display
• Large displays & situated displays for shared & public use
• Digital paper may be usable in the near future
 Elements Involved in HCI: Computer
• Memory:
• Short-term memory: RAM
• Long-term memory: magnetic & optical disks
• Capacity limitations related to document & video
storage
• Access methods as they limit or help the user

• Processing:
• The effects when systems run too slow or too fast,
the myth of the infinitely fast machine
• Limitations on processing speed
• Networks & their impact on system performance
Elements Involved in HCI: Human
• Humans are limited in their capacity to
process information. This has important
implications for design.

• Information is received & responses given

via a number of input & output channels:
üVisual channel
üAuditory channel
üHaptic channel
üMovement
 Elements Involved in HCI: Human
• Information is stored in memory:
üSensory memory - records info from senses upto 3 seconds
üShort-term (working) memory - records info up to 20 seconds before
forgotten or transferred to long-term memory
üLong-term memory - can hold vast amount of info & relatively pemanent

• Information is processed and applied:

üReasoning
üProblem solving
üSkill acquisition
üError

• Emotion influences human capabilities

Interaction - Computer
• The communication between
the user & the system. Their
interaction framework has 4
parts:
üUser
üInput
üSystem
üOutput
Interaction Model
 Interaction Model
• Interaction models help us to understand what is
going on in the interaction between user &
system. They address the translations between
what the user wants & what the system does.
• Ergonomics looks at the physical characteristics
of the interaction & how these influence its
effectiveness.
• The dialog between user & system is influenced
by the style of the interface.
• The interaction takes place within a social &
organizational context that affects both user &
system.
 Goals of HCI
• The goals of HCI are to produce usable and safe system, as well as
functional systems. In order to produce computer system with good
usability, developer must attempt to:

üUnderstand the factors that determines how people use technology

üDevelop tools and techniques to enable building a suitable system
üAchieve efficient, effective and safe interaction
üPut people first
 Importance of HCI
• Enhances User Experience: HCI helps to
design systems that are intuitive and user-
friendly.
• Increases Efficiency: Well-designed systems
can help users complete tasks faster & with
fewer errors.
• Reduces Frustration: HCI design can
minimize user frustration & cognitive load by
creating simple, easy-to-use interfaces.
Desktop and Mental Models
• Desktop Models: Refer to the GUI
environment, where users interact
with icons, folders, & windows to
manage tasks.

• Mental Models: These are the

cognitive representations users
create to understand & navigate
computer systems. A good interface
aligns with users' mental models,
making it easier for them to
interact effectively.
Collaboration and Communication in HCI
• Collaboration Tools: Software
like Google Docs, Slack, & Zoom
enable users to work together in
real-time, overcoming physical
& geographic boundaries.

• Social Interaction: Social media

platforms & collaborative
software are key examples of
HCI that facilitate global
communication & interaction.
Social Change, Social Expression & HCI
• Accessibility: HCI aims to
design systems that are
accessible to people with
disabilities (e.g., screen readers
for the visually impaired).

• Social Media: Platforms like

Facebook & Twitter allow
individuals to express opinions,
share experiences, & engage
with the broader community.
Ergonomics and Human Factors in HCI
• Ergonomics: Refers to the design of
tools, systems, & environments to fit
the physical & cognitive needs of
users. In HCI, this means designing
interfaces that are comfortable, safe,
& easy to use.

• Human Factors: This focuses on

understanding human abilities &
limitations to improve system
design.
The Relation of HCI in the Workplace
• Improved Productivity: By designing
efficient interfaces, employees can complete
tasks more quickly & accurately.
• User-Centered Design: In the workplace,
HCI ensures that systems are designed with
the needs & capabilities of the users in mind,
leading to higher satisfaction & performance.
• Remote Work: Advances in HCI are crucial in
supporting remote work environments,
providing tools for effective communication,
collaboration, & productivity.
Computer - HCI Themes
• PRIORITY: end-user

• MUST CONSIDER: end-user’s

capabilities, demands, preferences

• TARGET: end-user must be be

comfortable using the system, they
don't have to change the way they use it
Key Concepts to Remember:
• Usability: Refers to how easy &
satisfying it is for users to interact with
a system.
• User-Centered Design (UCD): A design
philosophy focusing on the needs &
limitations of the user.
• Affordances: The features of an
Affordances (to give a clue) interface that suggest how it should be
used.
• Feedback: Information provided to the
user about their actions to help them
understand the effect of their
interaction.
HCI Challenges and Problems
• Human-technology symbiosis - complicated & multi-faceted interaction
• Human-environment interaction - develop unexpected implications &
difficulties as it becomes more advanced
• Ethics, privacy and security - should strengthen actions about privacy &
security in the modern intelligence era
• Well-being, health & eudaimonia - ‘doing & living well’ from having a good
(eu) & spirit (daimon)
• Accessibility and universal access - open to all to produce a quality of life of
diverse populations
• Learning and creativity
• Social organization and democracy (excessive use of energy, climate change,
pollution, famine, etc.)