Assignment 1, COS 436 HCI Technology

Ethnography and Interaction Design

First, Read the Verplank and Oliver Paper
Note the iterations, observations, etc.
that were involved in their process.

Then, observe yourself and others using desktop, laptop, and palm/smartphone computers. Look at all three types of computers and users. Actually do this, don't rely on your memory or suppositions.

(* see below)

Things to look for and think about:

• What is/are the task(s) being accomplished?
• What are the main movements/gestures?
• How often does each movement take place?
• How accurate must each movement be?
• Are any movements time-critical?
• What are the main input/output devices?
• How do these devices afford (help or hurt) the
  movements, and thus the accomplishment of the task(s)?

Write down these observations in a nice orderly form.

Now think deeply about one of the tasks, the related
movements, and the input/output devices used.

• Suggest a way to improve the input, or output, or both, device(c).
• How would you think about testing your new device(s)?

Write this up and turn it in in class.
Sketching is vigorously encouraged,
for describing objects, movements, etc.
Even if you can't draw (like me), it's still a
wonderful tool for ethnography, and for organizing,
documenting, and remembering things in the future.

(* Thanks to Bill Verplank for the sketch)