Learning in Computer Science

Lecturer: Prof. Hußmann
Tutorials: Sarah Tausch
Hours per week: 1 (Lecture) + 1 (Tutorial) (non-regular recurrence)
ECTS credits: 3
Modul: Master Learning Sciences WP6.2.2 Learning in Computer Sciences

• News
• Dates and Locations
• Contents
• Lecture

News

• Note: All information may be subject to change.
• Oct 16: First lecture on Oct 23, 2012, 10 ct, Amalienstr. 73a, Room 020!

Dates and Locations

• Lecture: Tuesday 10ct to 12, Room 020, Amalienstr. 73a

Contents

Learning is a central topic in Computer Science in various respects. The focus in this lecture + case study will be on the very specific situation when users of a computerized system are exposed to the interface of the system and have to learn how to use the system. This is a question of increasing importance for industrial products of all kinds, which are becoming more and more computerized driven by technological progress. How do novice users react when being confronted with novel interfaces of computerized systems? Can problematic situations like deterrence of the user or operation errors be prevented by a clever design of the system? How can systems be master-tailored to a specific group of users? How can the design of a system intrinsically support a progressive learning curve for the users in mastering the system? These questions will be in the focus of the lecture. Theories and design approaches from the area of Human-Computer Interaction, a sub-discipline of Computer Science neighboring to Psychology, will be introduced in the lecture. Concrete techniques for a user-centered design process for computerized products will be presented, with an emphasis on "low fidelity prototyping" techniques. These techniques enable a design phase, which decouples interaction issues from technical issues. In particular, all design steps in such a methodology can be carried out in principle without any prerequisite knowledge in technology or programming. The lecture will be followed by a case study phase in which students will carry out concrete design experiments using the prototyping techniques introduced in the lecture, including simple empirical studies making use of the designed prototypes.

The lecture course is suitable for:

• Students of Master Learning Sciences

Lecture

The lecture comprises the following separate lessons, each of which is designed to last for 1.5 hours:

• Unit 1: Human Computer Interaction - Basic Principles
• Unit 2: Users and Requirements
• Unit 3: Models of Human-Computer Interaction
• Unit 4: User-Centered Design and Prototyping Techniques