Unit 3195 - Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Comprehensive Outline

1. Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction

• Definition and scope of HCI
• Importance of HCI in technology development
• Brief history and evolution of HCI
• Key concepts: users, tasks, interfaces, context
• The relationship between humans and technology

2. User Interface Design Principles

• Usability:
  • Learnability
  • Efficiency
  • Memorability
  • Error prevention and recovery
• Accessibility:
  • Designing for diverse user needs
  • Standards and guidelines (WCAG)
• Consistency:
  • Visual consistency
  • Functional consistency
• Feedback and response:
  • Immediate and informative feedback
• Error prevention:
  • Design strategies to minimize errors

3. User Research Methods

• Purpose and importance of user research
• Qualitative methods:
  • Interviews
  • Observations
  • Focus groups
• Quantitative methods:
  • Surveys and questionnaires
  • Analytics and metrics
• Usability testing:
  • Planning and conducting tests
  • Recording and analyzing results

4. Interaction Design

• Defining user interactions and workflows
• Information architecture:
  • Organizing content
  • Navigation structures
• Wireframing and prototyping:
  • Low-fidelity vs. high-fidelity prototypes
  • Tools and techniques
• Designing for engagement and meaningful interaction

5. Usability Evaluation Techniques

• Heuristic evaluation:
  • Nielsen’s heuristics
  • Conducting heuristic reviews
• Cognitive walkthroughs:
  • Step-by-step task analysis
• A/B testing:
  • Experimental design and metrics
• Eye-tracking studies:
  • Techniques and data interpretation

6. User Experience (UX) Design

• Defining UX and its components
• Emotional and psychological aspects of design
• Designing for satisfaction and delight
• UX design process:
  • Research
  • Design
  • Testing
  • Iteration

7. Accessibility in HCI

• Principles of inclusive design
• Designing for users with disabilities:
  • Visual impairments
  • Hearing impairments
  • Motor impairments
• Assistive technologies overview
• Legal and ethical considerations:
  • Accessibility laws and standards

8. Mobile and Web Interface Design

• Responsive design principles
• Touch interactions and gestures
• Navigation patterns for mobile and web
• Performance considerations
• Cross-platform consistency

9. Emerging Trends in HCI

• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
• Voice user interfaces and conversational agents
• Internet of Things (IoT) integration
• Artificial intelligence in interaction design
• Future challenges and opportunities