1. Human-computer interaction: users, tasks & designs
Making interactive systems feel natural for users
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

2. At the end of this lecture you should be able to …
Define what natural computing is
Explain the main principles of natural computing
Explain the key concepts of user-centred system design (UCSD)
Explain what interactive design is
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

3. Use with Human Computer Interaction
Natural computing
The study of how people process and store information, manipulate symbols, ascribe personal values to events, attribute cultural and emotive judgments.
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

4. Use with Human Computer Interaction
Natural computing
Information processing is just one of the capabilities of the human brain. The main idea of natural computing is that information processing is a natural process for us.
The user perspective
The designer's perspective
The sustainability perspective
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

5. Key features of user-centred system design
A central focus on the people who will use the systems, on their preferences and requirements
Building simple models of the users, the tasks and the technological systems
An iterative process
Prototyping and the evaluation of alternatives by users.
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

6. Use with Human Computer Interaction
The user or users
What do you think of when you read the phrase 'the user'? Do you think of:
Someone like yourself?
A stereotype 'user'?
A group of 'typical users'?
You picture individuals, each with different skills and preferences, different priorities and objectives?
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

7. UCSD Process Task Analysis Requirements Gathering Design & Storyboard
Observation of existing systems
Problem Statement
HTA
Requirements Gathering
Usability guidelines & heuristics
Requirement stmt: functional & non-functional
Design & Storyboard
Storyboard
Technical & legal constraints
Prototype implementation
Prototype
Evaluation
Transcript & evaluation report
Installation
Final implementation

8. Use with Human Computer Interaction
Is UCSD sufficient?
UCSD may not be enough
People may need the facility to:
Customise a system
Add assistive technology for extreme circumstances or disability
Have adaptable systems that respond to the ways in which they are used or to a user's known profile
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

9. Six principles of natural computing
What can users do?
Modelling users
Understanding the domain
Understanding human learning
Meaning as a basis for practical action
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

10. Use with Human Computer Interaction
Understanding users
We need to understand better the people who use the systems we design and build.
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

11. Use with Human Computer Interaction
Core concepts
These are common to both natural computing and user-centred system design
User model
Universal access
Design for all
Inclusive design
Task models
Technological platform
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

12. Use with Human Computer Interaction
Universal access
Universal access is the objective of making systems that are accessible anytime, anywhere and to anyone of the intended user population.
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

13. Use with Human Computer Interaction
Design for all
It is similar to 'universal access', but also promotes the notion of careful design and design standards, so that users with special needs are not excluded from the use of a system.
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

14. Use with Human Computer Interaction
Inclusive design
The aim of inclusive design is to create mechanisms by which designers can calculate the numbers of users who are excluded by specific design features.
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

15. Use with Human Computer Interaction
Task models
You must identify the key features of the task to be achieved – and recognise those aspects that must or can be changed.
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

16. Technological platform
In the earlier days of system design
technology placed severe restrictions on the functionality of proposed systems
These days
technological options are less restrictive and, we can expect our expectations to be fulfilled by the technology
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

17. Strengths and weaknesses of interactive systems
Modern interactive systems can be powerful because they draw on powerful technology
Interactive systems may provide useful functions
Interactive systems differ in the extent that they are usable
Accessibility varies between good and poorly designed systems
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press

18. Use with Human Computer Interaction
Summary…
Natural computing provides a basis to begin to understand people and systems, and how people might use technology to good effect
Use with Human Computer Interaction
by Serengul Smith-Atakan ISBN © 2006 Middlesex University Press