DH

1.3 HCI Overview: Technologies, Domains, and Ideas

The note provides an overview of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), detailing various technologies, application domains, key ideas, and a course approach.

Technologies

  • Virtual Reality (VR): Immersive interaction, therapy, tourism.

  • Augmented Reality (AR): Overlays digital information onto the real world.

  • Ubiquitous/Pervasive Computing (IoT): Computing embedded in everyday objects; reduces cognitive load.

  • Wearables: Extend human capability; offload cognitive tasks.

  • Mobile Computing: Mobile-first interaction, with specific challenges and opportunities (e.g., context-awareness).

  • Gesture-Based Interaction: Natural input modality with potential for vast vocabularies.

  • Touch and Pen Interfaces: Reduce task distance and enable high-precision input.

  • Information Visualization: Represents data interactively, matching mental models.

  • CSCW (Computer Supported Cooperative Work): Supports cooperation across time and place.

  • Social Computing: Examines how computing alters social interaction.

  • Special Needs & Accessibility: HCI advances for assistive technology (e.g., prosthetics, sonification).

Key Domains where these technologies are applied include Health Care (data processing, VR therapy), Education (balancing usability and cognitive load), Security & Usability (making security intuitive), and Video Games (source of HCI insights).

Ideas

  • Context-Sensitive Computing: Systems adapt to user context to reduce explicit input.

  • Gesture-Based Interaction: Leveraging natural gestures for input.

  • Information Visualization Principles: Designing effective, interpretable data representations.

  • Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Focuses on safe and natural human-robot interactions.

  • Mobile Computing as Design Consideration: Mobile constraints driving new interaction strategies.

  • Accessibility-Driven Innovation: Using tech like VR/AR/AI to support diverse abilities.

  • Security by Design: Making security features intuitive and explainable.

Course Approach

Students are encouraged to select a focus area (Technology, Domain, or Idea) and apply human-centric design principles, reflecting on real-world relevance throughout the course, with an emphasis on usability, context, and the user’s mental model.