Teaching HCI to Undergraduate Computing Students: the Quest for the Golden Rules

Roberto PolilloDISCO – University of Milano Bicocca

CHItaly, Alghero, Sept 13, 2011

The goal

Discuss my experiences / opinions on teaching HCI courses

Based on my HCI and Web lab courses at University of Milano Bicocca (10 & 6 years respectively)

Which students am I talking about?

Undergraduate "computing" students "Computing" according to ACM-IEEE curricula:

Computer Engineering (CE) Computer Science (CS) Software Engineering (SE) Information Technology (IT) Information Systems (IS)

In Italy, "classe di laurea in Informatica"

HCI courses

Well established contents and goals Founding document:

ACM SIGCHI Curricula for HCI, 1992 HCI considered a "core" knowledge area in most

ACM-IEEE computing curricula (CE 2004, CS 2008, SE 2004, IT 2008, IS 2010)

"HCI literacy" recognized as essential for any computing professional

So where is the problem?

1. Slow to very slow recognition of HCI relevance from the mainstream computing community HCI courses, when offered, are often optional2. Available teaching space is very limited3. HCI as a knowledge area is very broad and interdisciplinary4. Distance from the mind-set of typical computing students

This is not acceptable in 2012

Most of our undergraduate computing students are

USABILITY ILLITERATE

Consequences

1.Slow to very slow recognition of HCI relevancefrom the mainstream computing community HCI courses, when offered, are often optional

E.g.: In Italy, less then one third of curricula in Informatica have a mandatory HCI course Source: GRIN data on 52 certified first level degrees, for 2009

How many CS profs would agree on this?

ACM-IEEE IT Curriculum, 2008

2. Available teaching space is very limited

3. HCI as a knowledge area is very broad and interdisciplinary

Example: knowledge units of HCI knowledge area

ACM-IEEE Curriculum for Computer Science, Revision 2008

4. Distance from the mind-set of typical computing students

What we HCI teachers should do

1. Fight to have one HCI mandatory course in everycomputing curriculum

2. Identify th minimal learning goals of an HCI course

3. Strongly improve course effectivess within the existing time constraints ("The Quest for the Golden Rules")

Learning goals

Twofold: Cultural

Understand goals, concepts and methods of HCI as a discipline

Practical Being able to apply them in the design of usable systems

This is a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE within the stated constraints

Learning goals minimized

Twofold: Cultural

Understand goals, concepts and methods of HCI as a discipline

Practical Being able to apply them in the design of usable systems

This is a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE within the stated constraints

Changing teaching methods

Concepts(lectures)

Practice(projects)

TRADITIONAL (TOP-DOWN, DEDUCTIVE)

apply

Problem(projects)

Conceptualization (coaching)

SUGGESTED (BOTTOM-UP – INDUCTIVE)

discusscomment

What kind of project?

Design Prototype User testing

Simple, "real" system Zero learning-time tools

Coaching and conceptualization by teacher

Simple settings, real users & collegues

Iterative prototyping of a simple interactive system

10 Golden Rules for teaching HCI

1. Practice first, concepts follow2. Situated design, not simulation3. Interaction, not description4. Mostly coaching, not teaching5. User testing is mandatory6. Iterate prototypes until "Wow!"7. Make students learn design, not design tools8. Ban any intrusive prototyping tools9. Use the Web as a resource10. Capitalize on student specific experience

Thank you!

roberto.polillo@unimib.it