Computing and IT in the Workplace

CT006-1

Human Aspects of Computing

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this section, YOU should

be able to:
To explain importance of the human
computer interface aspects in IT

To explain and describe the concepts of

ergonomics
To explain computer related health issues
and the prevention
To explain and discuss the usable interface

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Introduction

Topics we will cover

Human Computer Interface (HCI)

The importance of HCI

Human Factors

Health concerns of Computer use

Ergonomics

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Introduction

Overview of Human Computer Interface

Definition of HCI
HCI is concerned with the design,
evaluation and implementation of the
interaction of computing systems for
human use and with the study of the
major phenomena surrounding them

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Human Computer Interface

Human
Individual user, a group of users that
work together
A sequence of user in an organization
each dealing with some part of the task
or process.
They use technology

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Introduction

Human Computer Interface

Computer
Any technology ranging from the
general desktop to a large scale
computer system, a process control
or an embedded system

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What is Technology
Technology refers to the process of
transforming basic knowledge into a useful
application

Emerging Technology are those where the

1) knowledge base is expanding
2) application to existing markets is undergoing
innovation
3) New markets are being tapped or created
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Introduction

Human Computer Interface

Interaction
Communication between user
and computer

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Human Computer Interface

Designing computer systems that support
people so that they can carry out their
activities productively and safely

HCI is used to describe the interaction

between a user and a computer
Computer is not just the PC, but also
machines like photocopiers, microwave and
etc.
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Importance of HCI

The importance of HCI

Concerned with the user performance
(Human Factors and Ergonomics)
Produce usable and safe system as
well as functional system

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Ergonomics
Ergonomics derives from two Greek words:
ergon, meaning work, and nomoi, meaning
natural laws. It means the science of work and
a persons relationship to that work.
In application ergonomics is a discipline
focused on making products and tasks
comfortable and efficient for the user.
Ergonomics is sometimes defined as the
science of fitting the work to the user instead of
forcing the user to fit the work
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Importance of HCI

To improve
Safety
Utility (functionality)
Effectiveness (do the right thing)
Efficiency (do things right)
Usability
Simplicity

Effectiveness & efficiency are two broad

categories of performance indicators
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Effectiveness Vs Efficiency
Effectiveness measure how much your targets
were reached. They relate actual to expected
values, e.g. actual to expected sales
Effectiveness indicators require a plan: you
can't measure effectiveness unless you have a
target e.g. customer satisfaction
Efficiency measure how "well" the resources
(like people, machines, money) were to
produced output like products, services, profit.
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Importance of HCI

System failure & HCI

16% of projects are successful
31% are partially successful
53% of projects fail
Failure is overwhelming due to human
rather than technical factors

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Importance of HCI

Why systems fail?

Inadequate requirements 13%
Lack of user participation 12%
Inadequate resources 11%
Unrealistic expectation 10%
Lack of support at senior level 9%
Changing specifications 8%
Lack of planning 8%
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Importance of HCI

The discipline that relates to HCI

Psychology and cognitive
science (give the knowledge of
users perceptual, Cognitive and
problem solving skills, ergonomics
for the users physical capabilities)

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Importance of HCI
Sociology and organization psychology
(understand the wider context of the
interaction)
Computer science and engineering
(build the necessary technology)
Business (marketing)
Graphic (effective interface presentation)
Technical (produce user manual)
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Health Concerns of Computer Use

What are some health concerns of computer use?
Computer vision
syndrome (CVS)eye and
vision problems

Carpal tunnel syndrome

(CTS)inflammation
of nerve that connects
forearm to palm

Repetitive strain injury

(RSI)

Tendinitis
inflammation of
tendon due to
repeated motion

Computer addiction
when computer consumes
entire social life

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Health Concerns of Computer Use

How can you ease
eyestrain
when working
at the computer?

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Health Concerns of Computer Use

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
Wrist, hand, arm, and neck injuries as
a result of forced muscle groups
through fast, repetitive motions
Typing on a keyboard-based device
(computer, musical instrument)
Moving groceries items over a scanner

Preventive measures: change in

technique of operating the instruments,
take a rest
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Health Concerns of Computer Use

What precautions can prevent tendonitis or
carpal tunnel syndrome?

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Take frequent breaks during computer session

Use wrist rest
Exercise hands
and arms
Minimize number
of times you
switch between
mouse and
keyboard

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Health Concerns of Computer Use

Back & Neck Pains

Possible causes:
Improper use of chairs
Improper ways of positioning
keyboard and/or display screen

Preventive measure: use

adjustable, special-purpose
furniture
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Health Concerns of Computer Use

Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)
Waves of electrical and magnetic energies
generated by electrical devices
Strongest fields are emitted from the sides
and backs of terminals and CRT display
screens
Noise
Generated by power supply fan, impact
printer
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Ergonomics
What is ergonomics?

Applied science devoted to comfort, efficiency, and

safety in workplace
keyboard
height: 23
to 28

elbows at 90
and arms and
hands parallel
to floor

adjustable
backrest

adjustable
seat
adjustable
height chair
with 5 legs
for stability

feet flat on floor

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Green Computing
Reducing electricity and environmental waste
while using
computers

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Why study Human Use of Computer systems?

The system view:

1. complex human
2. complex computer
3. complex interface between the two
The human factors view:
1. humans have necessary limitations
2. errors are costly in terms of
loss of time & loss of money
loss of lives in critical systems
loss of morale
design can cope with such limitations!
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You know now

The HCI discipline includes the study of:
the use and context of computers
human characteristics
computer system and interface architecture
the development process

HCI is worth studying because it aligns

both human interests and economic
interests
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Review Questions

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How could health related disorders and

injuries due to computer use be
prevented?
Explain and discuss an appropriate
workplace design.

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Question and Answer Session

Q&A
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What we will cover next

Topic and Structure of next session

Ethical and Legal Issues

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