INFOLINK COLLEGE HAWASSA CAMPUS

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE WEEKEND

SESSION

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT OF HUMAN COMPUTER

INTERACTIUON

BY ALEMU ASSEFA

ID NO: 9063

AUGUST, 2021 G.C

INFOLINK COLLEGE, HAWASSA, ETHIOPIA

 Questions

1. What are the goals of evaluation in HCI?

Goals of Evaluation in HCI
A• assess extent of system functionality
B• assess effect of interface on user
C• identify specific problems
Purpose of the Evaluation
• Engineering towards a target – asking whether the system we have designed is good
enough yet.
• Comparing designs – to identify which designs are best for a given set of tasks. In
general, most evaluation approaches can give us some comparative evaluation, but
quantitative results are usually the easiest to use for comparisons.
• Understanding the real world – working out how well the design would work in the real
world such as an office or other workplace.
• Checking conformance to a standard – whether the system meets standards that have
been set.
2. Shortly explain the evaluation techniques in HCI?
Evaluation Techniques in HCI
• Evaluation
– Tests usability and functionality of system
– occurs in laboratory, field and/or in collaboration with users
– evaluates both design and implementation
– should be considered at all stages in the design life cycle
Evaluating Designs
Cognitive Walkthrough
Proposed by Polson et al.
– evaluates design on how well it supports user in learning task
– Usually performed by expert in cognitive psychology
– Expert ‘walks though’ design to identify potential problems using psychological
principles
– Forms used to guide analysis
For each task walkthrough considers
– what impact will interaction have on user?
– what cognitive processes are required?
– what learning problems may occur?
• Analysis focuses on goals and knowledge: does the design lead the user to generate the
correct goals?
Heuristic Evaluation
Proposed by Nielsen and Molich.
• usability criteria (heuristics) are identified
• design examined by experts to see if these are violated
• Example heuristics – system behaviour is predictable
– system behaviour is consistent
– feedback is provided • Heuristic evaluation `debugs' design.
Review-based evaluation
• Results from the literature used to support or refute parts of design.
• Care needed to ensure results are transferable to new design.
• Model-based evaluation
• Cognitive models used to filter design options e.g. GOMS prediction of user
performance.
• Design rationale can also provide useful evaluation information
Choosing an Evaluation Method
When in process: design vs. implementation
Style of evaluation: laboratory vs. field how objective: subjective vs. objective
Type of measures: qualitative vs. quantitative
Level of information: high level vs. low level
Level of interference: obtrusive vs. unobtrusive
Resources available: time, subjects, equipment, expertise
3. Discuss the universal design principles in HCI?
Universal Design principles in HCI
Universal design is about designing systems so that they can be used by anyone in any
circumstance.
Universal design is the process of designing products so that they can be used by as
many people as possible in as many situations as possible.
Universal design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be
accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of
their age, size or disability.
Universal design is an approach to design that honor’s human diversity. It addresses the
right for everyone from childhood into their oldest years to use all spaces, products and
information, in an independent, inclusive and equal way. It is a process that invites
designers to go beyond compliance with access codes, to create excellent, people center
design.(Elaine ostroff)

The principles of Universal Design

1. Equitable use
 Provide the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible;
equivalent when not.
 Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users
 Provisions for privacy, security and safety should be equally available to users
to all users.
 Make the design appealing to all users.
2. Flexibility in use
 Provide choice in method of use
 Accommodate right-handed or left-handed access and use
 Facilitate the user’s accuracy and precision
 Provide adaptability to the user’s pace
3. Simple and intuitive
 Eliminate unnecessary complexity
 Be consistent with user expectations and intuition
  Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills
 Arrange information consistent with its importance
 Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion
4. Perceptible information
 Design should be provide effective communication of information regardless
of the environmental condition or the user’s abilities
 Essential information should be emphasized and differentiated clearly from
the peripheral content.
5. Tolerance for Error
 Minimizing the impact and damage caused by mistakes or unintended behavior
 Potentially dangerous situations should be removed or made hard to reach
 Potential hazards should be shielded by warnings
6. Low Physical Effort
 Allow user to maintain a neutral body position
 Use reasonable operating forces
 Minimize repetitive actions
 Minimize sustained physical effort
7. Size and Space for Approach and use
 Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user
 Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user
 Accommodate variations in hand and grip size
 Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance
 Allow for variations in hand size
Conclusion of Universal Design principles in HCI

 Diversity is the norm

 Universal design celebrates human differences
 Universal design markets usability, not disability
 Ageing consumers have great economic power
 Universal design offers a blueprint for designing a world fit for all people
  Universal design recognizes the interdependence of humanity, the natural world,
and the products of human design.
4. Explain the approaches to user support in HCI?

Approaches to user support HCI

a. Command assistance
User requests help on particular command eg:-UNIX, DOS help
Good for quick reference
Assumes user know what to look for
b. Command prompts
Provide information about correct usage when an error occurs
Good for simple syntactic errors
Also assumes knowledge of the command
c. Context sensitive help
Help request interpreted according to context in which it occurs. Eg.tooltips
d. On-line tutorials
User works through basics of application in a best environment
Can be useful but are often in flexible
e. on-line documentation
Paper documentation is made available on computer
Continually available in common medium
Can be difficult to browse
Hypertext used to support browsing