Human-Computer Interface (Interaction) (HCI)

CAPES NOTES

Objective #11 & 12: Describe and Distinguish between different types of HCI
Human-Computer Interface/ Human- Computer Interaction (HCI)
HCI refers to a technology that enables humans to interact and communicate with computers. It
allows the user to and the computer to communicate with each other.

Types of HCI
1. Command Line Interface (CLI)
This is the oldest type of user interface and maybe the least user friendly normally used
on MS-DOS. It does not have any fancy buttons or graphics found in a GUI. As the name
suggests, commands are accepted from a user who instructs the computer what tasks to
do. An interaction with a computer using a command driven interface usually follows
these two steps.
A. The user type the command. for example: dir
B. The computer then carries out the command after which a result is displayed.

2. Menu Driven User Interface:

This interface requires the user to interact with the computer by selecting various
options from a list of choices called a menu.

There are two types of menu driven user interface: a pull/drop down and a pop-up

1. Pull/Drop Down menu

The pull down menu is one where the items in the list to be selected drops down
when the menu selected. In other words, another menu is displayed below the one
selected.

2. Pop-up menu
The pop up menu is one where items in the list pops-up when the menu is selected. In
other words, another menu is displayed above the one selected.
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3. Graphical user interface (GUI)

Instead of having the user to memorize and then type in commands, a graphical
user interface displays all the available options by taking advantage of the graphical
capabilities of the screen. It allows the user to choose an option by clicking on the
icon that represents it.

 With a Graphical User Interface (GUI) the user interacts with the computer by
using a pointing device such as a mouse or trackball.

 GUI uses a graphical display with a combination of menus, buttons, icons and other
graphical images to give commands.

 It is considered to be the most user-friendly user interface.

 It is easier for a person to remember the graphical object and what it represents than
to remember some keyword.

 The most popular form of GUI is a WIMP system.

 Window- eg calculator
 Icon- eg Start button
 Menu- eg pop up/ pull down menu
 Pointer- eg symbol such as arrow moved by a pointing device
4. Forms
This type of interface presents the users with specific questions to which they must
respond to in order to perform associated tasks. Forma normally includes keywords for
which the user normally input the relevant information.

5. Natural language
The Natural Language interface can range from simple command systems to voice
activated text processing. Commands are spoken in normal language. This interface uses
a visual or graphical development interface to create source language that is usually
compiled language compiler. Natural languages are used mostly to make artificial
intelligence (AI) programs. A computer with AI is made to think like a human. The
computer seems to be able to learn and work out problems.
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6. Speech
Speed interface also known as Audio Based HCI deals with information acquired by
different audio signals. The information gathered from audio signals can be more
trustable, helpful and in some cases unique providers of information. An example could
be Google search by voice.

7. Direct manipulation
This interface is one which allows the user to physically interact with their operating
system. In this interaction style, objects in the User Interface are visible and can be acted
upon through physical actions that receive immediate feedback. The system allows the
user to feel like that they are the ones carrying out the operations.

Objective #13: Describe ways in which a user’s characteristics require adaptation of a user
interface to increase effectiveness

 Age- Age plays a significant role in how a person perceives and processes information.
Knowing the age of the target population of a technology product can provide vital clues
about how to present information, feedback, video, audio, etc. The design of applications
for children are normally done differently when compared to those designed for older
users.
The design of applications for children poses a special challenge, as designers must learn
how to perceive systems through the eyes of a child. For example, audio feedback may
alarm very young children and extremely bright colors and video could easily distract
them from the task
Older users may experience a decrease in motor, sensory and cognitive functioning,
which may lead to combined impairments and highly affect interaction. Principles for
providing accessibility to older users include improved contrast, enlargement of
information presented on the screen, careful organization of information, choice of
appropriate input devices, avoiding relying on memory, and design simplicity.
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 Education- Some groups of users are unfamiliar with technology, particularly older users
and those with minimal or no education, but are nevertheless required to use computing
tools in order to keep up with the current evolution of society. The challenge of designing
systems for users who fall within a wide and uneven spectrum of skills can be daunting.
This is especially so because designers are typically experts in their respective domains
and find it difficult to understand and incorporate the needs of novices.

 Differently abled and cultural differences- As a result of globalized technology in today’s

society, there is a significant shift in the perception, understanding, and experience of
culture. The inclusion of this knowledge in technology will lead to more inclusiveness
and tolerance. Language is an integral part of culture and much can be lost in translation
due to language barriers. It is the duty of UI designers to avoid restricting their design to
only one language but rather customize their product designs to meet the needs of their
customers; with regards to, translations, changes to graphics, icons, content, etc. Rather
than neutralize cultural and linguistic differences, Design for All acknowledges,
recognizes, appreciates, and integrates these differences

 Non-visual interfaces- Blind users’ interaction is supported through screen readers, or

speech output, and Braille displays. Audio (non-speech) sound can also be used to
improve the blind user’s interactive experience. Blind users can use keyboards and
joysticks, though not the mouse. Therefore, all actions in a user interface must be
available without the use of the mouse. Specific combinations of colors may be necessary
for users with various types of color-blindness. Hearing limitations can significantly
affect interaction with technology. Familiar coping strategies for hearing-impaired people
include the use of hearing aids, lip-reading and telecommunication devices for the deaf.

 Accessibility features

Accessibility in relation to HCI refers to the access by people with disabilities to

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Accessibility aims to overcome
these barriers by making the interaction experience of people with disabilities as near as
possible to that of people without such limitations. In traditional efforts to improve
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accessibility, the main direction followed has been to enable disabled users to access
interactive applications originally developed for able-bodied users through appropriate
assistive technologies. Assistive Technology (AT) refers to a range of accessibility plug-
ins including: special-purpose input and output devices and the process used in selecting,
locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence for people with disabilities
by enabling them to perform tasks that they were originally unable to accomplish, or had
great difficulty accomplishing.

Sensors- The fact that computer systems cannot doesn’t know what happens in the real
world/ physical environment, sensors are used to assist. A sensor is a device
that converts a real-world property (e.g. temperature) into data that a computer
can process. Inputs include light, heat, motion, moisture, pressure, or any one of a great
number of other environmental phenomena. Passive infrared sensors are the most widely
used motion in home security systems. A sensor measures a specific property data and
sends a signal to the computer. Usually this is an analogue signal so it needs to be
converted into digital data for the computer to process.