Computer Science 482: Human–Computer Interaction

Study Guide: Unit 7

Groupware, Ubiquitous Computing, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Hypertext and Multimedia

Unit 7 introduces several interactive application areas that go beyond a single user with a desk-based computer. Section 1 introduces the design of groupware interfaces. Section 2 introduces ubiquitous computing. Section 3 looks at virtual reality and augmented reality. Section 4 discusses interface issues for the web designer.

Section 1: Groupware and Computer-supported Collaborative Work

In this section you learn how computer systems support group communication and activities.

Learning Objective 1

Describe the scope of computer-supported collaborative work and groupware.

Required Reading
  1. Read page 664 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question. Answer it in 100 words or less.

  • How is CSCW related to HCI? (pp. 663 to 664 of HCI)

Learning Objective 2

Discuss the types of groupware communication.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 664 to 667 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • What are three types of groupware classified by function? (p. 667 of HCI)

Learning Objective 3

Outline the basic functions of computer-mediated communication.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 667 to 678 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • What differentiates CMC from CSCW? (p. 667 of HCI)

Learning Objective 4

Describe meeting and decision support systems.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 679 to 684 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • What are three types of meeting and decision support tools? (p. 679 of HCI)

Learning Objective 5

Discuss systems for sharing applications.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 685 to 691 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following questions:

  • What is co-authoring? (p. 688 of HCI)
  • What is the difference between co-authoring and shared editing? (open question)

Learning Objective 6

Outline frameworks for describing groupware.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 691 to 702 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • How can groupware tools be differentiated by granularity of sharing? (pp. 695 to 696 of HCI)

Learning Objective 7

Outline the principles, methods, and tools for developing and implementing synchronous groupware.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 702 to 712 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • What are five ways of testing robustness? (p. 712 of HCI)

Learning Objective 8

Provide a summary of groupware categories and issues.

Required Reading
  1. Read page 713 of HCI.
Review Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following questions:

  • Do exercises 19.1 and 19.2 on page 714 of HCI.

Section 2: Ubiquitous Computing

In this section you explore the theme of ubiquitous computing.

Learning Objective 1

Define ubiquitous computing.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 717 to 724 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • What does implicit input mean? (pp. 718 to 719 of HCI)

Learning Objective 2

Discuss application themes for ubicomp.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 724 to 729 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • What are the main questions that need to be answered for context awareness to function effectively? (pp. 725 to 726 of HCI)

Learning Objective 3

Discuss interaction theories associated with ubicomp.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 729 to 731 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • What are the three main theories that focus on the “in the world” nature of knowledge? (pp. 729 to 731 of HCI)

Learning Objective 4

Summarize the evaluation challenges in ubicomp.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 731 to 733 of HCI.
Review Exercise
  • Do exercise 20.1 on page 746 of HCI.

Section 3: Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

In this section you explore the meanings, applications, and user interfaces of virtual and augmented reality.

Learning Objective 1

Discuss the varieties of virtual reality (VR).

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 733 to 738 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • What is an augmented reality (AR) interface?

Learning Objective 2

Discuss data visualization and its benefits.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 738 to 745 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • What is the Camtree? (p. 742 of HCI)

Learning Objective 3

Provide a summary of virtual and augmented reality.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 745 to 746 of HCI.
Review Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following questions:

  • Do exercises 20.2 and 20.3 on page 746 of HCI.

Section 4: Hypertext, Multimedia, and the World Wide Web

In this section you investigate human–computer interfaces for hypertext, multimedia, and the World Wide Web (WWW).

Learning Objective 1

Provide a quick overview of hypertext and multimedia advances.

Required Reading
  1. Read page 749 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • What is a distinguishing feature of the WWW? (p. 749 of HCI)

Learning Objective 2

Describe hypermedia, rich content, and delivery technology.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 749 to 761 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • Briefly describe the various types of rich content. (pp. 751 to 755 of HCI)

Learning Objective 3

Discuss hypertext navigation and issues.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 761 to 767 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following questions:

  • What are two problems with hypertext? (p. 761 of HCI)
  • What are some ways to make website navigation easier? (open question)

Learning Objective 4

Discuss web technology and network issues.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 768 to 771 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • From the point of view of web usability, what is the argument against long page layout? (p. 770 of HCI)

Learning Objective 5

Discuss static web content.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 771 to 778 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • What are the challenges of delivering movies and sound over the Internet? (p. 777 of HCI)

Learning Objective 6

Discuss dynamic web content.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 778 to 787 of HCI.
Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following question:

  • What are the three questions important to end users of dynamic web content? (p. 779 of HCI)

Learning Objective 7

Provide a summary of hypermedia design issues.

Required Reading
  1. Read pages 787 to 788 of HCI.
Review Exercise

You may want to use the Online Workspace to answer the following questions:

  • Do exercises 21.1 and 21.3 on page 788 of HCI.

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