Lecture Topics in HCI, by James Tam
Contents for:	All Topics	CPSC 481	SENG 609.05	Industrial Course

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

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

• 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.

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/