TLÜ ÕIS

Research Trends in Human-Computer Interaction

Course code

IFI8110.DT

old course code

IFI8110

Course title in Estonian

Inimese-arvuti interaktsiooni uurimissuunad

Course title in English

Research Trends in Human-Computer Interaction

ECTS credits

4.0

Assessment form

Examination

lecturer of 2023/2024 Spring semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

lecturer of 2024/2025 Autumn semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

Course aims

The course introduces the students to activity theory as a theoretical approach in human-computer interaction (HCI), interaction design, and related fields. Students will familiarize themselves with basic concepts and principles of activity theory and learn how the theory has informed HCI research. Students are expected to develop an ability to critically assess potential advantages and limitations of using activity theory in conceptual analyses, empirical studies, and design explorations in HCI.

Brief description of the course

The course will be given in English. It will comprise five 4-hour classroom sessions; in addition, the students will be required to carry out individual work.
CLASSROOM SESSIONS:
Classroom session will combine lectures, seminars, and workshops. The first session will start with a course introduction and continue with a lecture on the basic concepts and principles of activity theory. During the second session analytical tools based on activity theory will be discussed, and some of them will be practically tried out by the students. The third session will focus on empirical studies and theoretical analyses informed by activity theory. The theme of the fourth session will be activity-centric computing. Finally, the third session will focus on the relationship between activity theory and other post-cognitivist theories in HCI; it will be concluded with a general discussion.

Learning outcomes in the course

Upon completing the course the student:
- has systematic knowledge about the basic concepts and principles of activity theory;
- knows the main existing applications of activity theory in HCI and related areas;
- is able to apply at least one analytical tool for design and evaluation, informed by activity theory;
- is able to critically assess advantages and limitations of using activity. theory to address concrete issues in HCI and related areas.

Teacher

David Jose Ribeiro Lamas

Study programmes containing that course