[Multiple Ways Of Enhancing Human-Computer Interaction Design: Emerging Mobile Devices]

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

The evolution of human-computer interaction design (HCID) over the last 20 years suggests that there is a growing need for educational scholars to consider new and more applicable theoretical models of interactive product design. The authors suggest that such paradigms would call for an approach that would equip HCID students with a better understanding of the social context of technology design and development. An intrinsic part of the proposed pedagogical model is the concept of affordance or that which implicitly suggests to the user a particular kind of functionality of the product. According to cognitive theory, people approach multi-functional mobile devices by building mental models of their functions, starting with physical appearance. A case study of an HCID teaching strategy, based upon the primacy of affordance, highlights how students can be taught a range of knowledge domains for product design to support creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

TABLE OF CONTENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTii

DECLARATIONiii

ABSTRACTiv

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION6

Project Aims7

Project deliverables7

Functional and non-functional requirements7

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW9

Computer as Source9

Teaching affordances9

Comparisons Between HCI And Human-Human Interaction12

A theoretical overture for technology design education13

The problem space16

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY19

Data Collection19

Time Scale19

REFERENCES21

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Human-computer interaction (HCI) is an interdisciplinary field that investigates how people perceive and think about computer-based technologies, what human constraints affect human-machine interaction, and what factors improve usability of computer systems. Although HCI research entails both “relatively discursive, qualitative, and conceptual social-behavioral science and relatively formal, quantitative, and device-oriented computer science”, it is in the social and behavioral science approach to HCI, or the “soft” science paradigm in Carroll's (2006) words, where we can find the unique contributions of communication scholars (Reddy, 2003, 437).

Specifically, unlike management information systems (MIS) research, which treats technology as a tool to accomplish specific task goals and stresses organizational implications of various computer applications, HCI researchers consider the interaction between the person and the computer as a sort of conversation and highlight the importance of communication-related variables. For example, studies pertaining to the effects of human-like attributes of computer systems, such as personality , and group membership, closely follow the research tradition on source characteristics. Similarly, studies investigating how structural features of user interfaces, such as modality and interactivity, influence individuals' cognitive, affective, and behavioral reactions resemble media effects studies, especially those concerning message and channel characteristics.

In summary, this paper details a teaching methodology that emphasizes the integration of applied with theoretical design research. Starting from the affordance paradigm, proposed by Norman (1988, 1999), it extends into the new territory by tasking the students to think first and ...