CMP2019M Human-Computer Interaction
Workshop 1: Introduction to HCI
Part 1: Theory
1. Define Human Factors, Usability, and User Experience. Write 1-2 sentences per construct.
2. What are the main differences between Human Factors and User Experience? Write no more than 4-5 sentences.
3. Reflect upon how computer use has changed over the centuries, and give an example of how this has affected the field of HCI. Write no more than 2-3 sentences.
Part 2: Practical Exercises
Please work in groups of two or three. Toward the end of the workshop, please be prepared to present your results to the rest of the group.
1. Go to http://www.dosbox.com/ and download a copy of DOSBox.
Using the command line interface, find out which version of DOS the emulator is running. Keep notes of the steps that you had to take.
Find out what version of Windows your desktop computer is running. Keep notes of the steps that you had to take.
Compare both approaches. What did you find difficult? What was easy? Give an example for each of the systems.
2. Bonus: Go to https://archive.org/details/softwarelibrary_msdos_games and play a game of your choice – why not try “Crosscountry Canada”?
Comparing the game you chose to recent console and PC games, would you say the user experience has changed? What about the user interface? Write down bullet points that reflect on your experience with the game(s) you played.