Introduction To Usability

The principle of usability is integral to Human-Computer Interaction, yet it is one that is often misunderstood.  This section is intended as a brief introduction to what is meant by usability as well as ways in which it can be attained.  I describe it as being only an introduction to Usability because the whole course is about usability.

Overheads

• Introduction to Usability: [Acrobat]  [PowerPoint]
• Optional: Usability vs. Usefulness [Acrobat] [PowerPoint]

Topics covered

• What is usability
• Why is usability an important issue in terms of systems design
• How to design usable systems
• The historical context of usability

Required Readings 

• None

Optional Readings

• Baecker, Grudin, Buxton and Greenberg (1993) Chapter 1: Ensuring Usability in Human-Computer Interaction.  Developing User  Interfaces, Wiley, p1-12 by Hix, D. and Hartson
• Baecker, Grudin, Buxton and Greenberg  (1988) How to design usable systems. Gould, J.

Major sources used to prepare lecture material

• Hix, D. and Hartson, H. (1993) Chapter 1: Ensuring Usability in Human-Computer Interaction.  Developing User  Interfaces, Wiley, p1-12.
• Gould, J. (1988) How to design usable systems. In Baecker Grudin Buxton and Greenberg.
• The Useless Invention society (chindogu): http://www.chindogu.com/