Introducing human-computer interaction: A didactic experience

Experts on human-computer interaction (HCI) are required to establish communication media for a broad variety of users in consequence of the expanding services offered to the market and the changing technology landscapes. Software developers need suitable criteria to handle computer interfaces because of the diversity within the `digital population' and it seems natural that educators should answer the professional questions posed by software designers. In this paper we report on the experience of a vocational course on object-oriented design, which - among other topics - provides professional criteria to students who are required to plan a large assortment of computer interfaces from panels to object lists, from animated images to social web pages. In the first stage, lessons on HCI illustrate the psychological portraits of computer users. Second, the lessons deduce practical guidelines from those profiles. Finally the students learn the technical contents regarding HCI design. The concise psychological and social criteria which guide the students to prepare the visual interfaces constitute the innovative contribution of the present work at the didactic level. The initial lessons on HCI go beyond mere technical training and it may be said that they improve the professional culture of students. The feedback from participants appeared very positive.