Computer Science 482: Human–Computer Interaction
Study Guide: Unit 5
User Models
Unit 5 examines user modeling. Section 1 introduces models of users. Section 2 introduces the social context of users.
Section 1: Cognitive Models
In this section you will explore several cognitive models representing how users interact with systems.
Learning Objective 1
Define cognitive models of users.
Required Reading
- Read pages 420 to 421 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question. Answer in 100 words or less.
- What is the difference between a competence and a performance model? (p. 420 of HCI)
Learning Objective 2
Discuss the features of goal and task hierarchies.
Required Reading
- Read pages 421 to 430 of HCI.
- Read pages 403 to 417 of Interaction.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What are the four elements of GOMS? (pp. 422 to 423 of HCI)
Learning Objective 3
Briefly describe several linguistic models.
Required Reading
- Read pages 430 to 434 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- Give an example of how TAG can handle consistency in a way BNF cannot. (pp. 432 to 434 of HCI)
Learning Objective 4
Describe the shortcomings of grammars and goal hierarchies for display-based systems.
Required Reading
- Read pages 434 to 436 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What are the two weaknesses of grammars in modeling for users of a display-based system? (pp. 434 to 435 of HCI)
Learning Objective 5
Outline several physical and device models.
Required Reading
- Read pages 436 to 443 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What are the operators of the keystroke-level model (KLM)? (pp. 436 to 438 of HCI)
Learning Objective 6
Compare and contrast two cognitive architectures.
Required Reading
- Read pages 443 to 447 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What are the four different activities that occur within a problem space? (pp. 444 to 445 of HCI)
Learning Objective 7
Provide a summary of approaches for designing usable systems.
Required Reading
- Read page 447 to 448 of HCI.
Review Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following questions:
- Do exercises 12. 1 and 12.2 on page 448 of HCI.
Section 2: Socio-organizational Issues and Stakeholder Requirements
In this section you look at users in the socio-organizational context.
Learning Objective 1
Describe organizational issues that may affect users’ acceptance of technology.
Required Reading
- Read pages 451 to 458 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What is the free rider problem and how might we solve it? (pp. 454 to 455 of HCI)
Learning Objective 2
Explain stakeholder analysis and relevant socio-technical models.
Required Reading
- Read pages 458 to 462 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- Who are the four stakeholders in USTM/CUSTOM model? (pp. 458 to 459 of HCI)
Learning Objective 3
Outline the basis of soft systems methodology.
Required Reading
- Read pages 462 to 466 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- How is success defined by soft systems methodology? (p. 466 of HCI)
Learning Objective 4
Define the participatory design method.
Required Reading
- Read pages 466 to 470 of HCI.
- Read pages 453 to 454 of Interaction.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What are four methods of participatory design? (pp. 466 to 467 of HCI)
Learning Objective 5
Describe ethnographic methods.
Required Reading
- Read pages 470 to 472 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- Briefly describe the five models of contextual inquiry? (pp. 471 to 472 of HCI)
Learning Objective 6
Provide a summary of organization factors.
Required Reading
- Read pages 472 to 473 of HCI.
Review Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following questions:
- Do exercises 13.1 and 13.2 on page 473 of HCI.