Human-Computer Interaction
Complete Course Text
Introduction · UCD · Interaction Paradigms · The Four Waves
Academic Year 2025–2026
HCI Course Text – Page 1
,Module 0: Introduction to the Course
0.1 What is HCI?
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a field that started in the 1970s and early 1980s as a response
to the emergence of computers in the workplace. The transition moved from mainframes to
personal computers, from work use to home use, and eventually to ubiquitous use.
HCI as a multidisciplinary research field initially encompassed mainly: human factors and
ergonomics, engineering, computer science, psychology. Later it also included: design, social
sciences, information and library sciences, arts and humanities.
0.2 Relevance of Studying HCI
Four core reasons:
• Technological advancements: rapid rise of social media, big data, AI, IoT, facial/image
recognition and many new technologies
• Opportunities and risks: new opportunities for self-organisation, empowerment and
collaboration, but also unintended negative effects (fake news, privacy threats, digital
divides)
• Technology shapes us, we shape technology: we are not merely passive subjects of
technology but actively develop new technologies and embed them in our communities
• Human-computer interactions: people and technology cannot be studied separately – HCI is
a fruitful inter-discipline in which technology is the lens through which we understand what
it means to be human
0.3 Core HCI Concepts
0.3.1 Usability
ISO 9241-210 definition: 'The extent to which a system, product or service can be used by specified
users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context
of use.'
Usability criteria:
• User: person who interacts with the product
• Goal: intended outcome
• Context of use: users, tasks, equipment (hardware, software), physical and social
environment
• Effectiveness: accuracy and completeness with which users achieve specified goals
• Efficiency: resources expended in relation to the accuracy and completeness with which
users achieve goals
• Satisfaction: freedom from discomfort and positive attitudes towards the use of the product
0.3.2 User Experience (UX)
UX refers to people's emotions, beliefs, preferences, perceptions, physical and psychological
responses, behaviours and accomplishments that occur before, during and after use. UX is a
consequence of: the product/system (functionality, performance), the user (prior experiences,
attitudes, personality) and the context of use.
HCI Course Text – Page 2
, 0.3.3 User-Centered Design (UCD)
UCD (ISO 9241-210) is an iterative design process that places the human at the centre. It includes:
understanding the context and user requirements, designing solutions, evaluating designs, and
iterating until requirements are met.
0.4 Exam Information
Open book exam. Available during the exam: digital reader, slides in PDF, mind maps. Permitted:
printed reader (colour highlights, max. 1 handwritten sentence per page and max. 3 full handwritten
sentences per text in the reader). No other materials, summaries or notes allowed.
Exam questions are primarily open questions. Not about memorising facts, but about: applying
information in new situations, drawing connections between ideas, justifying a position, and
producing new/original work.
HCI Course Text – Page 3
Complete Course Text
Introduction · UCD · Interaction Paradigms · The Four Waves
Academic Year 2025–2026
HCI Course Text – Page 1
,Module 0: Introduction to the Course
0.1 What is HCI?
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a field that started in the 1970s and early 1980s as a response
to the emergence of computers in the workplace. The transition moved from mainframes to
personal computers, from work use to home use, and eventually to ubiquitous use.
HCI as a multidisciplinary research field initially encompassed mainly: human factors and
ergonomics, engineering, computer science, psychology. Later it also included: design, social
sciences, information and library sciences, arts and humanities.
0.2 Relevance of Studying HCI
Four core reasons:
• Technological advancements: rapid rise of social media, big data, AI, IoT, facial/image
recognition and many new technologies
• Opportunities and risks: new opportunities for self-organisation, empowerment and
collaboration, but also unintended negative effects (fake news, privacy threats, digital
divides)
• Technology shapes us, we shape technology: we are not merely passive subjects of
technology but actively develop new technologies and embed them in our communities
• Human-computer interactions: people and technology cannot be studied separately – HCI is
a fruitful inter-discipline in which technology is the lens through which we understand what
it means to be human
0.3 Core HCI Concepts
0.3.1 Usability
ISO 9241-210 definition: 'The extent to which a system, product or service can be used by specified
users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context
of use.'
Usability criteria:
• User: person who interacts with the product
• Goal: intended outcome
• Context of use: users, tasks, equipment (hardware, software), physical and social
environment
• Effectiveness: accuracy and completeness with which users achieve specified goals
• Efficiency: resources expended in relation to the accuracy and completeness with which
users achieve goals
• Satisfaction: freedom from discomfort and positive attitudes towards the use of the product
0.3.2 User Experience (UX)
UX refers to people's emotions, beliefs, preferences, perceptions, physical and psychological
responses, behaviours and accomplishments that occur before, during and after use. UX is a
consequence of: the product/system (functionality, performance), the user (prior experiences,
attitudes, personality) and the context of use.
HCI Course Text – Page 2
, 0.3.3 User-Centered Design (UCD)
UCD (ISO 9241-210) is an iterative design process that places the human at the centre. It includes:
understanding the context and user requirements, designing solutions, evaluating designs, and
iterating until requirements are met.
0.4 Exam Information
Open book exam. Available during the exam: digital reader, slides in PDF, mind maps. Permitted:
printed reader (colour highlights, max. 1 handwritten sentence per page and max. 3 full handwritten
sentences per text in the reader). No other materials, summaries or notes allowed.
Exam questions are primarily open questions. Not about memorising facts, but about: applying
information in new situations, drawing connections between ideas, justifying a position, and
producing new/original work.
HCI Course Text – Page 3
