Humans and Computers

As the title suggests, this core concept is centred around how humans interact with computers, and how successfully this happens. Which sounds odd, because humans made computers, so technically they should be easy for us to operate. Yet, for some peculiar reason, computers are often so frustrating for humans.

Check out this, slightly funny, video by CS Field Guide;

Human computer interaction (HCI) looks at trying to make programs useful, usable, and accessible to humans. This concept is strongly influenced by psychology (how people behave) because this affects how they will use a system.

CS Field Guide use this example to explain HCI and its impact on interaction;
The human short term memory only lasts for a matter of seconds (even in young people!) If a device delays a response for more than about 10 seconds, the user has to make a conscious effort to remember what they were doing, which means extra work for the user (which from their point of view makes the system more tiring to use).

This core understanding requires students to always have end users in mind. Students will need to take into account the target audience for their resource or application. In the review process of a new system, users are often asked to test and evaluate the system to help ensure it meets their needs.

This key concept is taught in all levels of digital technologies and it is found within the Designing & Developing learning area.