Human-Computer Interaction – Fall 2024

Course Overview

This is an introductory course on human-computer interaction for undergraduate students. This course requires no knowledge of human-computer interaction, psychology, and cognition. The class will cover the theories and foundations of human-computer interaction, including the fundamentals and principles of human-computer interaction, user interface technology, visual information design, and system design and evaluation, with the focus on eye-tracking-based usability testing evaluation. It will also discuss recent research trends in human-computer interaction, such as intelligent interfaces, and human-centered artificial intelligence. Students in this course will work on group-based coding and design projects and one individual assignment to design one user-interface and to evaluate it.

Course Topics

  • Introduction of HCI
  • “Human” (Factors)
    • Needfinding: survey, dairy, and interview
    • Introduction to cognition, context, and perception
    • The Psychology of Usable Things, User Interface UI
  • “Computer”
    • Usability Engineering
    • Visual design and information visualization
    • Visual Design and Typography
    • Color theory
    • Interface Design
    • Interaction Design
    • Interface Implementation
    • Prototyping
  • “Interaction”
    • Multimodal interfaces: touch, vision, natural language and 3-D, VR virtual reality, and AR
    • UX design
    • Human-Centered AI
    • Usability Inspection Methods
    • Usability Testing Methods
    • Usability in Practice
    • Usability evaluation of HCI systems

Course Schedule

  • Week 1:
    • Course Introduction and Overview
  • Week 2:
    • Human-Factors
    • Form groups of 4
    • Select topics
  • Week 3:
    • Human Information Processing System
    • Start “System Report” [Word File]
      • Chose 3 Top Similar Apps/Website/…:
        • Points of strength (What makes them special in terms of design and features)
        • Points of weaknesses in terms of design and features (Your solutions for these gaps)
      • System Requirements (Mobile App / Website / Off-Line Application):
        • Essential features (services)
        • Essential elements (for each feature)
        • Overall layout for User Interface
  • Week 4:
    • HCI Desing Rules
    • Submit “System Report“
    • Select a Research Paper
  • Week 5:
    • HCI Usability Rules
    • Submission Due of “Research Paper Report“
  • Week 6:
    • Mid-Term Exam
  • Week 7:
    • Theory: HCI Design
    • Practical: System UI Design
  • Week 8:
    • Present Paper Report
  • Week 9:
    • Eye-Tracking Experimental Evaluation
      • Hypothesis testing, Choose participants, sample size.
      • Independent and dependent variables and measures.
      • Types of experimental designs, analysis or results.
  • Week 10:
    • Training Eye-Tracking Evaluation at Jazari Research Center
  • Week 11:
    • Present Final Group-Projects
  • Week 12:
    • Present Final Group-Projects
  • Week 13:
    • Advanced Topics in HCI
      • Brain-Computer Interface
      • Human-Robot Interaction
      • Future Directions in HCI
  • Week 14:
    • Final Exam

Assessment

  • Individual Grades:
    • Attendance 5% , Participation 5%
    • Quiz: 5%
    • Midterm: 15%
    • Final: 40%
  • Group Grades:
    • Research Paper 10% 
      • Understanding of the Paper (3 points): Summary of key concepts and contributions: 3 points
      • Critical Analysis (2 points): Discussion of strengths and weaknesses
      • Presentation (3 points): Clarity and organization: 1.5 points. Visual aids: 1 point. Time management: 0.5 points.
      • Engagement and Discussion (2 points)
    • Projects 20%
      • Individual (5 points): UI, Essential Elements, Layout
      • Coding (5 points): Web/Mobile/Desktop App UI
      • Evaluation (5 points): Eye Tracking Usability
      • Presentation (5 points): Skills

Course Project Topics

Each group of students selects a topic from the list below or propose a topic to me and to request my approval.

  1. Smart Home Control App: Manage smart home devices like lights, thermostat, and security cameras.
  2. Personal Finance Manager: Budgeting app that tracks expenses and savings.
  3. Health and Fitness Tracker: Monitors exercise routines, diet, and fitness levels.
  4. Language Learning App: Interactive exercises and quizzes for language learning.
  5. Event Planning Tool: Organize events, manage invites, and track tasks.
  6. Virtual Study Group Platform: Collaborative tools for students to join study groups.
  7. Freelancer Job Board: Platform for freelancers to find jobs and manage contracts.
  8. Crowdsourced Travel Guide: Users share local insights and travel recommendations.
  9. Online Tutoring Platform: Connect tutors with students, including scheduling and whiteboard features.
  10. Smart Grocery List App: Generates grocery lists based on meal plans and store availability.
  11. Fitness Class Booking App: Users can book fitness classes at local gyms or studios.
  12. Online Marketplace for Local Artisans: A marketplace where local artists sell handmade crafts.
  13. Remote Work Productivity Tracker: Tool to track productivity and screen time for remote workers.
  14. Smart Alarm Clock App: Monitors sleep patterns and wakes users during the lightest sleep phase.
  15. Digital Habit Tracker: Track and build daily habits with personalized reminders and progress charts.
  16. Accessible Navigation App: Helps users with disabilities navigate public spaces with visual and audio guidance.
  17. Family Organizer App: A calendar and task manager for families to coordinate schedules and to-do lists.
  18. Volunteer Matching Platform: Matches volunteers with opportunities in their community based on skills and availability.
  19. Smart Expense Sharing App: An app that allows groups of friends or roommates to split and track shared expenses, like rent or bills.
  20. Digital Recipe Box: An app that allows users to save, organize, and share recipes with customizable categories and meal-planning features.

Course Policy

  • Illness: If you are absent due to illness as a valid excuse, please notify me of your situation at ismael.ali@edu.krd.edu prior to (or immediately after) your absence.
  • Course and Exam Schedule: Student is responsible of constantly following up the schedule for any updated material or any type of assessments, such as exams/projects.
  • Etiquette: Attend all the session to be able comprehending the course material. Submit all assignments on-time, no excuse for late submission, except valid illness report.
  • Late Attendance: No student should enter the hall 10 minutes after start time of the session.
  • Academic honesty: Academic honesty is expected. Plagiarism is totally unacceptable in this course and will result in a failing grade without prior notification.