Human-Computer Interaction

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
INF/01
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing students with the knowledge and tools to understand the process of communication mediated by technology. In particular, interaction strategies will be described at the level of the perceptive and cognitive system, as well as the techniques for designing, implementing and performing strategies for usability and accessibility assessing of interactive systems. These aspects are at the base of the design techniques of a satisfying, pleasant and efficient digital experience.
Expected learning outcomes
The students will acquire abilities to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the different design choices in support of effective digital communication, as well as to draw adequate conclusions from user tests and other forms of usability and accessibility assessment based on scientific methods of investigation.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
- Introduction - Human-Computer Interaction
- Interaction design: Inspiration, ideation and implementation phase
- Inspiration phase: getting to know the user - Perceptual, cognitive and motor system
- Inspiration phase: getting to know the user - Communication in general
- Inspiration phase: getting to know the user - from oral to digital communication
- Inspiration phase: getting to know the user - profiling: definition of personas and information-gathering techniques
- Inspiration phase: getting to know the user - from requirements gathering to data analysis
- Inspiration phase: getting to know the user - The specification of the requirements
- Ideation phase - mental model VS conceptual model and SW life cycles
- Conception phase - Visceral design: Gestalt laws - Affordance - Visible constraints - Mapping - Idioms and stereotypes - Metaphors - Feedback
- Ideation phase - Behavioral design: Cognitive strategies (transfer and selective attention), Motor laws
- Concept phase - Reflective design: learning and problem-solving - Tacit knowledge and implicit information
- Concept phase - Examples of Bad and Good design and prototyping (Wizard of Oz technique) - Interaction styles
- Implementation phase - Information architecture
- Implementation phase - Design pattern
- Introduction to usability engineering
- Usability engineering
- Introduction to systems evaluation
- Analysis, test and usability evaluations
- HTML, CSS and Accessibility Analysis
Prerequisites for admission
none
Teaching methods
Lectures with discussions and presentations of case studies
Teaching Resources
Slides of the lectures: https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=2842

In the slides are reported books, articles websites useful both for studying and insights
Main texts (with various references to texts, examples and images on the slides):
- Preece, J., Rogers, Y., & Sharp, H. (2015). Interaction design: beyond - Human-Computer Interaction. John Wiley & Sons. http://www.id-book.com/
- de Souza, C.S. and Leitão, C.F. Semiotic Engineering methods for scientific research in HCI. Morgan & Claypool. 2009
- Norman D.A., Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things, Basic Books, 2003
Assessment methods and Criteria
Methods of verification are:
1. a written test consisting of
1.1 Set of Multiple-choice questions
1.2 Set of open questions (only if sufficient in point 1 is achieved)
2. an oral test or Project (Optional)

The evaluation criteria of the multiple-choice test concern:
- Knowledge of the content
- Degree of knowledge of the subject

The criteria for evaluating the open questions test concern:
- Adherence of the response to the track
- Ability to make connections
- The relevance of the contents in relation to the question

The evaluation criteria of the oral test/project presentation concern:
- the focus of the issue
- logical rigour and use of technical language
- fairness and clarity of exposure
- The critical awareness, personal interpretation skills, richness and relevance of the oral presentation

The examination procedures include:
1. 20 multiple choice questions (right answer: 1 point, wrong: -0.25, pass:> = 11). The quiz affects the final grade for 12/30
2. Set of 4 open questions (only if sufficient in point 1 is reached). The questions account for 21/30 on the final grade (also considering the 3 points for honours)
3. Oral exam or presentation of a project (Optional), increase or decrease in the grade of the written test by + or - 3 points
INF/01 - INFORMATICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor: Valtolina Stefano
Shifts:
Turno
Professor: Valtolina Stefano
Professor(s)
Reception:
On appointment
via Celoria 18, Third floor, Room 3006