Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you will meet these learning objectives:
Explain the importance of human-computer interaction
within the information technology field
Define systems thinking
Module Overview
One of the critical aspects of IT is the connection between the human
and the computer in the context of the human–computer interaction
(HCI). HCI looks at the relationship between the user and a given
interface on the computer. This field of study has rapidly expanded
over the last 10 years. Carroll (2013) provides the following definition
of HCI:
Human-computer interaction (HCI) is an area of research and practice
that emerged in the early 1980s, initially as a specialty area in
computer science embracing cognitive science and human factors
engineering. HCI has expanded rapidly and steadily for three decades,
attracting professionals from many other disciplines and
incorporating diverse concepts and approaches. (p. 1)
HCI takes into account information provided by the social and
behavioral sciences, and it considers human tendencies. Currently, the
primary focus of HCI is the design of computer programs and
applications. The developers ask “How will a user interact with the
interface of a given computer program? What is its usability?” By
studying human behavior, designers aim to create a user- friendly and
intuitive interface for their program. For consumers, it is clearly
frustrating when figuring out how to use a new program or piece of
