The Human-Dimensions of Human-Computer Interaction:Balancing the HCI Equation (Future of Learning) (The Future of Learning)

The Human-Dimensions of Human-Computer Interaction commences a non-technical discussion about everyday computer usage and deals with the human-dimension or social context of effective HCI. It brings forward many of the hidden complexities of the human-dimensions of HCI, and owes to the educative nature of the techno-saga. The first three chapters are designed to set the background for the duality of the human/machine dimensions of HCI. Chapter four leaves the machine-side of the techno-saga to re-enter the usability context. Consequently, in this chapter people's techno-interactions are combined with the machine-side of the HCI equation to evaluate effective solutions that try to achieve techno-satisfying outcomes. While it still maintains the human side, chapter five covers cognitive performance. Chapter six becomes quite demonstrative, drawing away from the more usual linguistics to speak to the reader through a series of metaphorical human-dimensioned HCI models. Chapter seven brings the reader back to earth to concentrate again on the human-side of the HCI equation; this time to speak about expectations that people have in seeking techno-solutions to everyday issues. Chapter eight returns the focus to the machine-side; emphasizing that a balanced approach is necessary for achieving effective HCI, as this book would not be complete without a section for dealing with gender and how it relates, if at all, to HCI. This book uses a narrative style; simplifying jargon for the non-technical reader. It is a techno-journey commencing with the background history of computing to contrast with HCI in today's techno-world; filling the gap in the literature that only sparsely covers the vast number of human-dimensions (or social context) of computer usage. The human-dimensions of HCI are but one piece of the complicated computer- usability or techno-puzzle; that involves two distinct and quite separate contexts. One relates to the human-dimension or social context of computing; while the other relates to the machine-side, with people's perspectives molded around the performance of the technical computing components. The literature deals more often with the latter. It is really only in more recent times that a voice has risen for computer- usability issues that involve the human-dimensions. Because of this duality of people and computer machinery the author's techno-saga travels through carefully devised chapters. She therefore separates the human- side from the machine-side of the HCI equation, identifying why there is currently an imbalance of sensible solutions for effective HCI. [Publisher, ed] "This book uses a narrative style; simplifying jargon for the non-technical reader. It is a techno-journey commencing with the background history of computing to contrast with HCI in today's techno-world; filling the gap in the literature that only sparsely covers the vast number of human-dimensions (or social context) of computer usage. The target audience includes: IT professionals, postgraduate information systems' students, corporate trainers, general computer users, educational technology researchers, academics at universities and other types of community-based learning Institutions."--Jacket Presents a non-technical discussion about everyday computer usage and deals with the human-dimension or social context of effective HCI. This title brings complexities of the human-dimensions of HCI. It includes chapters which are designed to set the background for the duality of the human/machine dimensions of HCI.