L 501 Group Presentation Human Computer Interaction

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L 501 Group PresentationHuman Computer
Interaction

• Group 7
• Spechler, Avraham
• Oltmann, Shannon  
• Woods, Medina
• Akram, Shahrier
• Park, Chanwoo

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Introduction

• Human factors is a field of engineering that
  deals with the design of equipment, tasks,
  environment and training programs around the
  physical and psychological limitations of human
  beings.
• Human Factors Information and FAQ
• http//www.geocities.com/dengeneer/hf-info.html
• A human factors engineers job is to redesign
  present equipments and devise new equipment so
  that human errors, accidents, and frustrations
  can be reduced and efficiently increased.
• Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

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Sample Job Description

• Client seeks a Human Factors Engineer/GUI
  Developer for a highly visible project. The ideal
  candidate will provide support for a web
  application project. The successful candidate
  must be self-motivated and require only
  high-level management, able to solve problems
  quickly, think out of the box, and should have
  a broad background of web skills including HTML
  authoring, using tools such as DreamWeaver,
  advanced layout and design skills, basic
  usability issues, and programming experience with
  Java Script.

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Sample Job DescriptionMajor Responsibilities

• Create screen designs and wireframes
• Design user interfaces
• Be part of a development team
• Evaluation and analysis of user needs, the
  product development and usability of the product

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Employment Areas

• Academic institutions
• Industry employment
• Military-related research centers
• Government agencies
• Independent research and consulting organizations
• Independent consultants

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Human Factors Engineer

• Involves studying Human Factors (advanced degree)
  such as a MS or Ph.D. , especially for senior
  positions.
• Usually concentrated in usability and HCI.
• Internships help getting into field.

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Career Paths Needed Background

• Aviation Human Factors Psychologist
• http//www.apa.org/science/ic-landwehr.html
• More senior positions often involve more
  collaboration with other fields (e.g., computer
  science, HCI).
• To get to a senior rank, usability experience and
  research experience using both qualitative and
  quantitative methods are needed.
• Human Factors Engineer
• http//www.miscojobs.com/jobs/L_4/job_127544.htm
• Especially for better paid positions, need 3-5
  years professional experience.
• Helps to have experience working with and leading
  teams.

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Outlook for Human Factors Psychology Similar to
engineer with extra psychology background

• With advances in technology expected to
  accelerate, and with access to this technology
  ever widening, the options within this field are
  growing.
• The field has continually grown and expanded
  since its birth, and there will be more to come.
• As products continue to get more complex, and
  more technologically involved, the needs for
  user-friendly designers will definitely increase.
  
• As we continue to rely on computers, their
  programs, and the internet, human and computer
  interaction specialists and designers will be in
  high demand.

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Engineering Aspect of Human Factors Engineering

• Job Outlook Employment of industrial engineers is
  expected to grow about as fast as the average for
  all occupations through the year 2006, making for
  favorable opportunities.
• Industrial growth, more complex business
  operations, and the greater use of automation in
  factories and in offices underlie the projected
  employment growth.
• Because the main function of an industrial
  engineer is to make a higher quality product as
  efficiently as possible, their services should be
  in demand in the manufacturing sector as firms
  seek to reduce costs and increase productivity
  through scientific management and safety
  engineering.
• Most job openings, however, will result from the
  need to replace industrial engineers who transfer
  to other occupations or leave the labor force.

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Professional Organizations / Societies
Usability Professionals Association
http//www.upassoc.org/ ACM SIGCHI Special
interest group computer-human interaction http/
/www.sigchi.org/
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Usability Professionals AssociationGoals

• Provide an international network through which
  usability professionals can share information
  about the techniques and methodologies in the
  profession.
• Create an inclusive community for those
  interested in usability, whether it is their
  primary focus or a related discipline.
• Change new product development processes to
  include a concern for the people who use them by
  presenting the business case for usability in
  product development to colleagues, customers, the
  public and governmental agencies.
• Increase the body of knowledge about usability
  and user-centered design through professional
  education, meetings and conventions and other
  professional interchanges.

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ACM SIGCHI

• SIGCHI is the premier international society for
  professionals, academics and students who are
  interested in human-technology and human-computer
  interaction (HCI).
• They provide a forum for the discussion of all
  aspects of HCI through conferences, publications,
  web sites, email discussion groups, and other
  services.
• They advance education in HCI through tutorials,
  workshops and outreach, and promote informal
  access to a wide range of individuals and
  organizations involved in HCI.
• Members can be involved in HCI-related activities
  with others in their region through Local SIGCHI
  chapters.

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Periodicals/Journals

• HCI Journal
• http//hci-journal.com/
• A Journal of Theoretical, Empirical, and
  Methodological Issues of User Science and of
  System Design. Issued Quarterly.
• Journal in circulation for nearly 20 years
• Jakob Nielsens Column
• Proclaimed by the NY Times The Guru of Web
  Usability
• Offers weekly column addressing various issues in
  the usability spectrum
• Other Resources
• Usability News http//www.usabilitynews.com/
• Human Factors International http//www.humanfacto
  rs.com/

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Comments Questions?

• Please see any of our group members if you would
  like more information.