HCI Bachelorarbeit

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Was ist Human Computer Interaction (HCI) bzw. Mensch-Maschine-Interaktion?

Es gibt viele Definitionen. Eine der eingaenglichsten ist sicherlich: “HCI is principally concerned with understanding how people and computers can interactively carry out tasks” [P. Johnson]

Wo kann ich mehr erfahren?

• Dix et al.: Human Computer Interaction
• Preece et al.: Interaction Design
• Elsayed: Vorlesung HCI an der Uni Bolton
• British HCI group
• GI-Fachverband Mensch-Computer-Interaktion
• Tagung Mensch & Computer

Um was geht es in “Usability Evaluation of Presentation Tools”?

Bachelor Thesis: komplette Arbeit (PDF, en), Präsentation (PDF, en)

Abstract

Giving presentations would usually need support of some appropriate tools, such as boards or flip charts. More recently, presentation tools are supported by projection equipment and computer software. Yet, the usability of presentation tools has not received much notable interest from the HCI
community. However, especially complex human-human interaction going along with teaching relies on supporting tools. Working with these devices and programs should not be an aim on its own. They should in contrast provide an intuitive environment for the teacher to quickly and efficiently deliver his presentation.

We investigate the concepts incorporated by three presentation tools, PowerPoint, Notebook and eBoard. Notebook is used with an interactive whiteboard and the protoype of eBoard is a whiteboard to generate presentations. Concepts are abstract ideas or concrete objects. A pen used to write
on a whiteboard can be such a concept, while handwriting is another. To conduct an usability evaluation, we use the CASSM (Conceptual Analysis of Surface and Structural Misfits) method, which is focused on finding conceptual misfits. This is the case when concepts are absent or difficult
in either the user, the interface, or the system. These misfits can trigger usability problems.

We discuss if and how evaluations using CASSM can be performed by non-experts and describe experiments including observation and interview techniques to probe both user and presentation tool concepts. Students conducted user experiments using CASSM’s surface analysis and had difficulty
to elicit concepts out of system and interface. But they also struggled to find the subjects conceptualisation, his ideas and expectations of working with the tool. We then asked lecturers to prepare and deliver presentations. They were observed by an anlysist and interviewed to describe their user concepts and match it against those concepts offered by presentation tools. Their experience in preparing and giving presentations has a big influence on how they use the evaluated systems.

A Cognitive Walkthrough was performed on eBoard and led to a reorganisation of menu labelling and the removal of minor bugs. This thesis reports on usability problems and how they can be spotted
from an conceptual point of view. We thereby found that programs rich in features often lack the ability to adapt to the user’s needs. But also the implementation of renown concepts like handwriting on a board or creating vector graphics were not always satisfying. The eBoard system will be
improved on the basis of these results.