WPI CS 546: Human Computer Interaction
Why the "Human" Comes First in Human-Computer Interaction
For computer scientists, the word design is too often used exclusively in the context of code and architecture. The result of this narrow perspective is that engineers have a habit of building complex, intricate products that are wonderfully functional, but never used. When they are used, neglecting people in your design can lead to unexpected consequences that range from clumsiness to discrimination for individuals, groups, or cultures.
This course explores how people interact with technology, and how we can design those interactions to be intuitive, ethical, and impactful. We’ll study both human behavior and computational systems to understand how interfaces shape our actions, decisions, and relationships.