ITM 433 Human Computer Interaction
Most work activities involve some degree of communication and coordination with others, and with increasing globalization of business, these needs are becoming ever more imperative. However, the development of technology to support collaborative activities has proven to be a considerable challenge. Computer-Supported Cooperative Work has emerged as one of the critical socio-technical frontiers in information technology; "groupware" -- hardware and software specifically designed for use by interacting groups of people – can be extremely productive, but it can also challenge IT professionals’ technical and social skills to their limits. This course explores cooperative work systems and collaboration technologies and the principles and techniques that characterize human interaction with computers. Topics include the foundations of human-computer interaction, including graphical user interfaces, human-centered software development and evaluation, and the importance of understanding users in systems design. Focus is placed equally on the technology and how it supports collaborative work, on the human and organizational ramifications of the technology, and on the need for effective communication between IT professionals and computer users throughout the organization.