Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Course Syllabus

Course Description:

This course provides an introduction to the principles and practices of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Students will explore how to design, evaluate, and implement user interfaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Topics include user-centered design, usability principles, cognitive psychology, interaction techniques, and emerging technologies.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand the fundamental principles of HCI and user-centered design.
• Apply usability principles to evaluate and improve interface designs.
• Conduct user research and create personas to guide design decisions.
• Prototype and evaluate interfaces using appropriate tools and methodologies.
• Explore emerging trends in HCI, such as augmented reality and wearable computing.

Course Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of programming and design principles is recommended but not required.

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Course Outline

Week 1: Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction

1. Topics Covered:
   • Definition and scope of Human Computer Interaction
   • History and evolution of Human Computer Interaction
   • Key concepts and the importance of Human Computer Interactionin technology
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Understand the fundamental principles of Human Computer Interaction
   • Recognize the historical context and development of Human Computer Interaction
   • Identify the role of Human Computer Interaction in modern technology
3. Activities:
   • Introductory lecture and discussion
   • Reflection assignment on personal user interface experiences

Week 2: Understanding Users and Their Needs

1. Topics Covered:
   • User research methods (interviews, surveys, observations)
   • Creating and using user personas
   • Identifying user needs and preferences
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Conduct user research effectively
   • Develop user personas to guide design decisions
   • Analyze user needs and incorporate them into design processes
3. Activities:
   • Lecture on user research methods
   • Assignment: Create user personas for a hypothetical project

Week 3: User-Centered Design Principles

1. Topics Covered:
   • Core principles of user-centered design (UCD)
   • Importance of involving users in the design process
   • Iterative design and testing
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Apply user-centered design principles in interface design
   • Understand the importance of iterative design and user feedback
   • Redesign interfaces based on user needs
3. Activities:
   • Lecture on UCD principles
   • Assignment: Redesign an existing interface using UCD principles

Week 4: Cognitive Psychology in HCI

1. Topics Covered:
   • Cognitive processes in human-computer interaction
   • Mental models, perception, memory, and attention in design
   • How cognitive psychology influences interface design
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Analyze how cognitive processes affect user interactions
   • Incorporate cognitive psychology concepts into interface design
   • Evaluate interfaces based on cognitive principles
3. Activities:
   • Lecture on cognitive psychology in HCI
   • Assignment: Analyze an interface using cognitive psychology concepts

Week 5: Usability Testing and Evaluation

1. Topics Covered:
   • Methods for conducting usability tests (e.g., think-aloud, A/B testing)
   • Metrics for evaluating usability (efficiency, effectiveness, satisfaction)
   • Analyzing and reporting usability test results
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Plan and conduct usability tests
   • Evaluate interfaces based on usability metrics
   • Improve designs based on usability test results
3. Activities:
   • Lecture on usability testing methods
   • Assignment: Conduct a usability test on a chosen interface

Week 6: Interaction Techniques and Devices

1. Topics Covered:
   • Interaction styles (e.g., command-line, graphical user interfaces, voice)
   • Input and output devices (e.g., keyboards, mice, touchscreens)
   • Comparing interaction techniques across different devices
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Understand various interaction styles and their applications
   • Compare and contrast input and output devices
   • Evaluate the effectiveness of different interaction techniques
3. Activities:
   • Lecture on interaction techniques
   • Assignment: Compare interaction techniques on various devices

Week 7: Visual Design Principles

1. Topics Covered:
   • Principles of visual design (contrast, alignment, hierarchy)
   • The role of color, typography, and layout in interface design
   • Designing for aesthetics and usability
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Apply visual design principles in interface design
   • Create aesthetically pleasing and functional user interfaces
   • Evaluate the visual design of existing interfaces
3. Activities:
   • Lecture on visual design principles
   • Assignment: Design a visually appealing interface prototype

Week 8: Prototyping Tools and Methods

1. Topics Covered:
   • Types of prototypes (low-fidelity, high-fidelity, interactive)
   • Tools for prototyping (e.g., Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD)
   • Methods for testing and iterating on prototypes
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Create prototypes using industry-standard tools
   • Differentiate between low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes
   • Test and iterate on prototypes based on user feedback
3. Activities:
   • Lecture on prototyping tools and methods
   • Assignment: Develop a low-fidelity prototype of a mobile app

Week 9: Accessibility in HCI

1. Topics Covered:
   • Principles of accessible design (WCAG guidelines)
   • Designing for diverse user needs (e.g., users with disabilities)
   • Evaluating and improving accessibility in existing interfaces
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Understand the importance of accessibility in HCI
   • Apply accessibility guidelines in interface design
   • Evaluate and enhance the accessibility of user interfaces
3. Activities:
   • Lecture on accessibility in HCI
   • Assignment: Improve the accessibility of an existing interface

Week 10: Emerging Trends in HCI

1. Topics Covered:
   • Current and future trends in HCI (e.g., AR/VR, AI, IoT)
   • The impact of emerging technologies on interface design
   • Ethical considerations in the adoption of new HCI technologies
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Explore emerging trends in HCI and their potential applications
   • Assess the impact of new technologies on user interfaces
   • Discuss the ethical implications of emerging HCI trends
3. Activities:
   • Lecture on emerging trends in HCI
   • Assignment: Research and present on an emerging HCI trend

Week 11: Group Project Work

1. Topics Covered:
   • Collaborative design and development
   • Applying course concepts to a real-world project
   • Mid-term project evaluation and feedback
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Work effectively in teams to design user interfaces
   • Apply HCI principles to a comprehensive project
   • Receive and incorporate feedback to improve project outcomes
3. Activities:
   • Group project development
   • Mid-term project presentations and feedback

Week 12: HCI for Mobile and Wearable Devices

1. Topics Covered:
   • Design challenges for mobile and wearable interfaces
   • Interaction patterns and constraints in mobile and wearable design
   • Case studies of successful mobile and wearable interfaces
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Design user interfaces for mobile and wearable devices
   • Address the unique challenges of mobile and wearable HCI
   • Analyze successful mobile and wearable interface designs
3. Activities:
   • Lecture on mobile and wearable interface design
   • Assignment: Design a user interface for a wearable device

Week 13: Ethical and Social Issues in HCI

1. Topics Covered:
   • Ethical considerations in HCI design (privacy, security, bias)
   • Social implications of interface design (inclusivity, accessibility)
   • Value-sensitive design and its role in HCI
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Identify and address ethical issues in HCI
   • Incorporate social and ethical considerations into interface design
   • Understand the importance of value-sensitive design in HCI
3. Activities:
   • Lecture on ethical and social issues in HCI
   • Assignment: Write a paper discussing ethical considerations in HCI design

Week 14: Final Project Presentations

1. Topics Covered:
   • Presentation of final projects
   • Peer review and feedback
   • Reflection on the design process and outcomes
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Present and defend design choices in a final project
   • Provide constructive feedback on peer projects
   • Reflect on the overall learning experience in the course
3. Activities:
   • Final project presentations
   • Peer review and discussion

Week 15: Course Review and Final Exam

1. Topics Covered:
   • Review of key concepts from the course
   • Final exam preparation
   • Discussion on the future of HCI
2. Learning Objectives:
   • Reinforce and review core concepts from the course
   • Demonstrate understanding of HCI principles in the final exam
   • Discuss potential future developments in HCI
3. Activities:
   • Course review session
   • Final exam

This course outline provides a week-by-week breakdown of the topics, objectives, and activities that will be covered in the Human-Computer Interaction course, ensuring a structured and comprehensive learning experience for students.