Models and Theories in Human-Computer Interaction/Human Computer Interaction is Ubiquitous
Carroll starts out his first chapter with:“Human-computer interaction (HCI) lies at the intersection between the social and behavioral sciences on the one hand, and computer and information technology on the other”. That is a vast coverage of our daily lives.
Basic breakdown of how an average person interacts with a computer system on a daily basis:
- Making breakfast using interface of kitchen appliances
- Interacting with car’s interfaces for a drive to work (or using smartphone / tablets to read news if taking public transportation)
- Interacting with a computer or machinery with controlling interface at school or work
- Interacting with exercising machines after work
- Interacting with TV or gaming or music system
It is quite fascinating to me of how the field of HCI can influence and shape how we perform our tasks on a daily basis. Being a multidisciplinary science with professionals coming from all fronts like anthropology, psychology, sociology, engineering, graphic design and many others allows the field of HCI to dive deeply into how every one of us as human perceive the system we are tasked to complete so that we can achieve an explicit goal in an explicit context.
HCI is without a doubt ubiquitous but I don’t think with the current exponential growth of technology its importance is being stressed enough. There are still a lot bad interfaces out there and there are still a lot of machineries that frustrate users more than comforting. Therefore, as tech companies are continuing to expand their markets in every corner of life, the application of HCI must be much better focused to ensure their final products enhance users productivity in accomplishing their goals.