Book Image

Learn Human-Computer Interaction

By : Christopher Reid Becker
Book Image

Learn Human-Computer Interaction

By: Christopher Reid Becker

Overview of this book

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a field of study that researches, designs, and develops software solutions that solve human problems. This book will help you understand various aspects of the software development phase, from planning and data gathering through to the design and development of software solutions. The book guides you through implementing methodologies that will help you build robust software. You will perform data gathering, evaluate user data, and execute data analysis and interpretation techniques. You’ll also understand why human-centered methodologies are successful in software development, and learn how to build effective software solutions through practical research processes. The book will even show you how to translate your human understanding into software solutions through validation methods and rapid prototyping leading to usability testing. Later, you will understand how to use effective storytelling to convey the key aspects of your software to users. Throughout the book, you will learn the key concepts with the help of historical figures, best practices, and references to common challenges faced in the software industry. By the end of this book, you will be well-versed with HCI strategies and methodologies to design effective user interfaces.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)
1
Section 1 - Learn Human-Computer Interaction
5
Section 2 - How to Build Human-Centered Software
11
Section 3 - When to Improve Software Systems

Understanding the HCI ethos

Before we dive deep into the HCI ethos, you must dive into your interests in the interactions between humans and computers, which starts with some self-reflection. HCI requires a lot of personal interest and fortitude to keep learning. I recommend you dig deep as we grow our HCI skills.

Challenge 5 – Questions refresher

Setup:

Get out a sheet of paper or create a Google doc/Word doc.

Part 1: Write down these questions:

Add each question to your page:

  • Why do you love computers?
  • Where have you already started digging into your HCI sandbox?
  • Where do you want to start digging?
  • Why do you want to grow your HCI skills?
  • What do you want to get out of joining the HCI community?
  • Where are you in your HCI journey (beginning growth, middle expansion growth, or end maintaining growth)?

Part 2: Answer each question:

Write a short answer to each question.

Try asking these questions to your friends and colleagues to see whether their answers are similar to yours...