Computer Science 482: Human–Computer Interaction
Study Guide: Unit 6
Task Models and Dialogs
Unit 6 examines advanced methods for systems design. Section 1 introduces task analysis, and Section 2 focuses on methods of formalizing the interaction of the person with the computer.
Section 1: Analyzing Tasks
In this section you learn how to perform task analyses.
Learning Objective 1
Define task analysis.
Required Reading
- Read page 511 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question. Answer in 100 words or less.
- What are knowledge-based techniques, task decomposition, and entity—relationship-based analysis? (p. 511 of HCI)
Learning Objective 2
Contrast task analysis with other techniques.
Required Reading
- Read pages 511 to 512 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- Where does task analysis occur in the software design life cycle? (p. 512 of HCI)
Learning Objective 3
Describe the technique of task decomposition.
Required Reading
- Read pages 512 to 519 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What are seven types of plans outlined in your text in relationship to task decomposition? (pp. 517 to 518 of HCI)
Learning Objective 4
Describe knowledge-based analysis.
Required Reading
- Read pages 519 to 525 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- Explain the use of XOR, AND, and OR in the TAKD method. (pp. 521 to 523 of HCI)
Learning Objective 5
Describe entity-relationship-based techniques.
Required Reading
- Read pages 525 to 532 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What are the three relationships in ER-based techniques? (pp. 528 to 529 of HCI)
Learning Objective 6
Describe data collection techniques and common information sources.
Required Reading
- Read pages 532 to 538 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What are three common sources of information? (pp. 532 to 538 of HCI)
Learning Objective 7
Outline the uses of task analysis.
Required Reading
- Read pages 538 to 541 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- How can task analysis be used in the detailed design of interfaces? (pp. 540 to 541 of HCI)
Learning Objective 8
Provide a summary of task analysis.
Required Reading
- Read pages 541 to 542 of HCI.
Review Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following questions:
- Do exercises 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, and 15.5 on page 542 of HCI.
Section 2: Dialog Notations and Design
In this section you learn how dialog notations can facilitate the process of designing interfaces.
Learning Objective 1
Define human–computer dialog.
Required Reading
- Read pages 545 to 547 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- How are the three levels of computer language relevant to dialog? (p. 545 of HCI)
Learning Objective 2
Describe the purpose of dialog design notations.
Required Reading
- Read pages 547 to 548 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What are three reasons for using a separate dialog description notation? (pp. 547 to 548 of HCI)
Learning Objective 3
Outline the purpose and function of diagrammatic notations.
Required Reading
- Read pages 548 to 564 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What is the basic difference between flowcharts and state transition networks (STNs)? (pp. 559 to 561 of HCI)
Learning Objective 4
Outline the purpose and functioning of textual dialog notations.
Required Reading
- Read pages 564 to 573 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- How can state-oriented production rules be differentiated from event-oriented production rules? (p. 568 of HCI)
Learning Objective 5
Describe systems for annotating the semantics of a dialog.
Required Reading
- Read pages 573 to 582 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What are three approaches to linking dialog and semantics? (p. 574 of HCI)
Learning Objective 6
Describe how dialog analysis can contribute to the design of interfaces.
Required Reading
- Read pages 582 to 589 of HCI.
Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:
- What is the proper relationship between states and connectivity? (p. 584 of HCI)
Learning Objective 7
Provide a summary of dialog notation and interface design.
Required Reading
- Read pages 589 to 590 of HCI.
Review Exercise
You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following questions:
- Do exercises 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, and 16.4 on page 591 of HCI.