Assignment Answers on Unit -I

Answer the following questions

1. What is meant by HCI?

i. HCI is the study and the practice of usability. It is the study of how people
interact with computers and technology.
ii. HCI is the study of how people use computer systems to perform certain
tasks.
iii. It is about understanding and creating software and other technology that
people will want to use, will be able to use, and will find effective when
used.
iv. HCI tries to provide us with all understanding of the computer and the
person using it, so as to make the interaction between them more effective
and more enjoyable.
v. HCI mainly concerns with three elements:
Process: design, evaluation & implementation
On: interactive computing system for human use
Plus: the study of major phenomenon surrounding them

Interaction

HUMAN INTERFACE COMPUTER

Cognition Processing

Figure: Human Computer Interaction

2. Explain the components of HCI.

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field that focuses
on the design, development, and evaluation of user interfaces and interactive
systems. It aims to enhance the user experience by making technology more
intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable.
To achieve this, HCI considers four key components:
1. The user: This encompasses understanding user needs, goals, behaviors,
characteristics (demographics, cognitive and physical attributes, learning
 styles), emotions, and preferences. HCI research prioritizes the human aspect
in technology design, development, and testing.

2. The goal-oriented task: This refers to the objectives a user wants to achieve
by interacting with a system. HCI considers factors like task complexity, user
intentions, skill level, and time required to optimize the interface for
accomplishing these tasks efficiently and safely.

3. Interface: This involves the methods and mediums through which users
interact with the computer system. This includes both hardware (keyboards,
mice, touchscreens, voice recognition systems, gesture-based systems) and
software (Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs), command-line interfaces,
natural language interfaces). Considerations like screen resolution, display
size, and color contrast are also important aspects of interface design.

4. The context: HCI takes into account the environment in which the system is
accessed and how it might impact user satisfaction and usability. For
example, designing a mobile application requires considering factors like
user location, lighting conditions, and network connection.

The interaction between these components is crucial for designing effective

and user-friendly systems. HCI research utilizes insights from various fields
like computer science, psychology, and design to optimize this relationship.
The goal is to bridge the gap between human and machine capabilities,
creating systems that are intuitive, accessible, and enjoyable for users.

3. Explain Input-Output Channel.

In human-computer interaction (HCI), input and output channels facilitate
communication between the user and the computer. Humans receive
information through their senses (input) and respond through physical
actions (output). Input in the human occurs mainly through the senses and
output through the motor control of the effectors.

Input Channels:
1. Sight
2. Hearing
3. Touch
4. Smell
5. Taste
 1. (Sight) Vision - Visual channel.
a. Visual perception is how humans perceive objects in the surrounding
environment using the light reflected by those objects. Visual perception is
also known as sight and vision. The information is received by our eyes and
then processed by our brains in order to distinguish between similar objects,
colors, and relative distances. Primarily involves visual perception of the
computer screen, including text, images, and graphical user interfaces.

b. Visual angle It is the angle of an object formed on the retina of our eye. It is
also called the angular size of an object. Visual angle is affected by both the
size of the object and its distance from the eye.
The human eye is a visual channel for input and output responses.

Fig. Human Eye

- Vision begins with light. The eye is a mechanism for receiving light and
transforming it into electrical energy. Light is reflected from objects in the world
and their image is focused upside down on the back of the eye. The receptors in
the eye transform it into electrical signals which are passed to the brain.
There are two proven observations regarding how we perceive visual angle relative
to the object’s distance and actual size:
• Two objects of the same size at different distances have different visual
angles.
• Two objects of different sizes at different distances may have the same visual
angle.

Visual acuity is different from visual angle. Visual acuity is the ability of a person
to see fine details clearly.

2. Hearing - Auditory channel.

Information is received through audio outputs like beeps, system sounds, or spoken
instructions. The human ear is an Auditory channel for input and output responses.
Hearing begins with vibrations in the air or sound waves.
 Fig: Human Ear

The ear receives these vibrations and transmits them, through various stages, to the
auditory nerves. The ear comprises three sections, commonly known as the outer
ear, middle ear and inner ear

3. Touch
Touch is a haptic channel. Feedback from the keyboard, mouse, or other input
devices provides tactile information.
- The third and last of the senses that we will consider is touch or haptic perception.
- Touch provides us with vital information about our environment.
- It tells us when we touch something hot or cold, and can therefore act as a
warning.
It also provides us with feedback when we attempt to lift an object.

• Taste and Smell:

While not currently significant in general computing, these senses could be
relevant in specialized applications or augmented reality.

Output Channels (Effectors):

Output relies on motor control like fingers, voice, and even eye movements.
In an interaction with a computer the user receives information that is output by
the computer, and responds by providing input to the computer – the user’s output
becomes the computer’s input and vice versa.

• Fingers:
Used for typing on a keyboard, controlling a mouse, or interacting with
touchscreens.
• Voice:
Speech recognition and synthesis allow for verbal input and output.
 • Eyes:
Eye tracking technology can be used for input, allowing users to interact by
focusing on specific screen elements.
• Head and Body Position:
Sensors can detect head and body movements for input, particularly in virtual
reality or gaming.

How it works?
The user receives information from the computer through input channels (e.g.,
seeing the screen, hearing a sound). The user then responds by using output
channels (e.g., pressing keys, speaking, or moving the mouse). This back-and-
forth exchange is the basis of HCI.

4. What are the principles of HCI?

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field focused on
designing user-friendly computer systems that optimize the interaction between
people and technology. At its core, HCI aims to create interfaces that are
intuitive, efficient, and satisfying to use. Several fundamental principles guide
HCI design:
1. User-centred design
• Prioritizing the user: Placing the user's needs, behaviors, and abilities at the
centre of the design process is paramount.
• Understanding the target audience: This involves conducting user research,
such as interviews, surveys, observations, and testing, to understand their
background, skills, and preferences.
• Iterative design: Continuously refining and testing designs based on user
feedback is crucial for achieving an optimal user experience.
2. Consistency and standards
• Consistency in design patterns: Employing similar visual elements, terms,
and interactions throughout the system reduces the learning curve for users.
• Following design standards: Adhering to established industry conventions
and guidelines makes the system familiar and intuitive for users. For
example, using common icons and labels that users recognize and
understand.
3. Feedback and visibility
• Providing feedback: The system should offer immediate and clear responses
to user actions, keeping them informed about the status, results, or
consequences of their interactions.
• Visibility of system status: Users should be able to easily perceive and
understand the state of the system and its components to take appropriate
actions.
4. Error prevention and recovery
• Preventing errors: Designing interfaces that proactively minimize the
likelihood of user errors is crucial.
• Providing error handling: When errors do occur, the system should offer clear
and helpful guidance on how to diagnose, recognize, and recover from them
quickly.
• Permitting easy reversal of actions: Allowing users to undo or correct their
actions promotes a sense of freedom and control, encouraging exploration
and reducing anxiety.
5. Simplicity and cognitive load
• Simplifying interfaces: Avoiding unnecessary complexity and distractions in
the interface helps reduce the user's cognitive load.
• Minimizing memory load: Designers should aim to make elements, actions,
and options visible, so users do not have to recall information from one part
of the interface to another.
6. User control
• Supporting user control: Empowering users with the ability to choose how
they interact with the system, adjust settings, and customize the experience
according to their preferences enhances their sense of control.
7. Accessibility
• Designing for diverse abilities: Creating interfaces usable by people with a
wide range of abilities and disabilities is essential.
• Following accessibility guidelines: Adhering to guidelines such as the Web
Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) helps ensure that digital products
are inclusive and can be used by everyone.
8. Efficiency and flexibility
• Optimizing for efficiency: Designing systems that enable users to complete
tasks quickly and accurately with minimal effort enhances productivity.
• Providing flexibility: Allowing for various ways users can exchange
information with the system, such as through customizable settings or
different input/output methods, caters to diverse needs and preferences.
By embracing these principles, HCI aims to bridge the gap between humans and
technology, creating computer systems that are not just functional but also
enjoyable, effective, and accessible to a broad audience.

5. Explain in brief about Human Memory with an example.

In Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), understanding human memory is
crucial for designing effective and user-friendly interfaces. Human memory is
not a single entity but rather a system with different stages and types, each with
its own characteristics and limitations. Designers must consider these aspects to
minimize cognitive load and optimize user experience.
Human memory is the ability to gain, store, retain, and retrieve information.
Memory is the second phase of the Model Human Processor. In order to explain
the basic function of memory, we can divide the memory process into three
memory stages, or we can say that there are three types of memory:
• Sensory Memory
• Short Term Memory
• Long Term Memory

Fig: Human Memory

• Sensory memory (SM): This type of memory stores information received
through sensory stimuli. Some of the information is passed onto the short-
term memory and the remaining information is lost. Our eyes, nose, and
nerves send that information to the brain.

Types of Sensory Memory:

- Iconic memory: This is associated with things that you see. It has a large
amount of storage but stores the memory for less than a second. ...
- Echoic memory: This is associated with sound and hearing. ...
- Haptic memory: This type of memory is related to your sense of touch.
Sensory memory is the perception of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch
information entering through the sensory cortices of the brain and relaying
through the thalamus.

Figure: Sensory Memory

• Short Term memory (STM): This type of memory stores information

acquired by sensory memory for a short period of time and processes it.
Short-term memory (STM) acts as a notepad to store information for a short
period of time. If it isn’t needed, it is forgotten.
• For example, when we dial a phone number written on a piece of paper, we
temporarily store the number in our memory. Once we have dialled the
number, it will vanish from our memory because the task is done and we
don’t need the information anymore. Or, while reading, we keep each
sentence in our mind from start to finish in order to understand it. Once we
move onto the next sentence, the previous one vanishes from our memory.
STM features are as follows:
• Capacity: limited
• Access time: ~70 milliseconds
• Retention time: 15-30 seconds
• Long-term memory (LTM): This type of memory stores information
received from immediate memory after several repetitions. This information
gets stored for a long period of time and it gets lost over time if it isn’t
accessed again. Long-term memory (LTM) is basically everything we know.
This includes all the factual information, our behavioral information,
experimental knowledge, and more. In the example of STM where we had to
dial a number, we read it from paper and stored it in our STM. But how did
we know how to dial this number on the phone or which button to click? This
knowledge was in our LTM.
• Before diving into the details of how we store this information in LTM, let’s
first look into some features that differentiate LTM from STM:
• Capacity: Huge, nearly unlimited
• Access time: ~100 milliseconds
• Retention time: unlimited

Fig: Short term Memory

• LTM types:
• LTM can be divided into three types depending upon the nature of the stored
information.
• Episodic memory: Stores memories of past experiences and events. For
example, the memory of an accident, first day of college, birthday parties,
etc.
• Semantic memory: Stores information of the things you know and factual
knowledge. For example, words and their meanings, country names and
people’s names, etc.
• Procedural memory: Stores information about how to do things. For
example, how to move the body (motor controls), how to use a computer,
brush your hair, etc.
• Access time: ~ 1/10 second
• Retention time: slow decay, if any
• Capacity: huge or unlimited capacity

6. Describe Goals of HCI.

The goals of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) based on the terms you
provided and supplemented with relevant information from the search
results:
• Utility: This refers to the system providing the necessary functions that allow
users to achieve their goals. It addresses the question of what the system can
do for the user.
• Efficiency: This measures how quickly and effectively users can accomplish
their tasks and goals with the system. A key objective is to minimize the effort
and time required for users to perform tasks.
• Appeal: This relates to how much users enjoy and appreciate interacting
with the system. It encompasses aspects like aesthetics, satisfaction, and
overall user experience. The goal is to make the system pleasant, engaging,
and potentially even fun or rewarding to use.
• Safety: This is paramount, particularly in safety-critical systems. HCI aims
to protect users from dangerous situations, prevent errors, and ensure the
security and privacy of their data. This includes designing systems that
minimize the likelihood of mistakes and offer clear ways to recover from
errors.
• Usability: This is a crucial and encompassing goal in HCI. It focuses on
making systems easy to learn, easy to use, effective, efficient, safe, and
enjoyable. Usability involves ensuring that users can achieve their goals
effectively, efficiently, and with satisfaction. Key components of usability
include learnability and memorability, which refer to how easy the system is
to learn and remember how to use, respectively.

In essence, HCI seeks to create systems that are not just functional, but also
user-friendly and optimize the interaction between humans and computers.
The ultimate objective is to provide a positive and productive experience for
users while ensuring their safety and satisfaction.
7. Explain Multidisciplinary fields of HCI.
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field that studies
the design, implementation, and evaluation of interactive computing systems
to create intuitive, efficient, and accessible interfaces for human users. It
integrates concepts & methods from computer science, psychology
(cognitive, behavioral, and social), sociology design (graphics, UI/UX),
engineering, and ergonomics to understand how humans interact with
technology and to build systems that meet user needs effectively.

Fig: Multidisciplinary field of HCI

1. Ethnography: This field focuses on studying people in their natural

environments, providing insights into user behavior, context, and needs,
which are crucial for designing effective interactions.
2. Cognitive Science: This discipline explores mental processes such as
perception, memory, and problem-solving, informing how human cognitive
abilities impact interaction design and user experience.
3. Computer Science: This forms the technical foundation of HCI, providing
the knowledge and tools for developing software, algorithms, and systems
that enable human-computer interaction.
4. Psychology: Particularly cognitive and social psychology, this field helps
understand human behavior, mental models, and emotional responses to
technology, influencing interface design and user satisfaction.
5. Ergonomics: Also known as Human Factors Engineering, this focuses on
designing systems and interfaces that optimize human well-being and
 performance, considering physical and cognitive ergonomics to create
comfortable, safe, and efficient interactions.
6. Sociology: This field helps understand the social and organizational contexts
in which technology is used, influencing how systems are designed to
support group work, collaboration, and societal impacts of computing.

In essence, HCI integrates knowledge from these diverse fields to design, evaluate,
and implement interactive computing systems that are user-friendly, efficient, and
effectively meet human needs and goals within various contexts.

8. WHY IS HCI IMPORTANT?

It is essential for making technology work smoothly and effectively for everyone.
Here’s why Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) matters:
• User-Friendliness: HCI designs interfaces—like screens, buttons, and
menus—that are easy for everyone to understand and use. This ensures that
technology is not confusing or frustrating to navigate, making tasks simpler
and more enjoyable.
• Productivity Boost: By organizing information logically and providing
intuitive tools, HCI helps users work faster and more efficiently. This means
less time spent on figuring out how to use devices and more time focused on
productive tasks.
• Error Reduction: Well-designed HCI interfaces are aligned with how
people naturally think and behave. Clear instructions, feedback mechanisms,
and user-friendly layouts minimize mistakes and increase confidence when
using technology.
• Accessibility: HCI ensures that technology is accessible to everyone,
including people with disabilities. Features like voice commands, screen
magnifiers, and adjustable fonts make it possible for all users to interact with
devices comfortably and effectively.
• Engagement: HCI creates engaging and interactive interfaces that captivate
users and encourage prolonged interaction. This is crucial for applications
ranging from educational tools to entertainment platforms, enhancing user
satisfaction and retention.
• Innovation Driver: By understanding user needs and behaviors, HCI drives
innovation in technology. This involves developing new features and
improving existing ones to better meet the demands and preferences of users.
• Safety and Security: HCI designs prioritize the safety and security of users’
data and interactions. Robust authentication methods, encryption, and
privacy settings protect against unauthorized access and ensure a safe digital
experience.