Date: Wed, 20 Nov 1996 22:54:20 GMT Server: Apache/1.0.5 Content-type: text/html Content-length: 3651 Last-modified: Wed, 10 Jan 1996 19:23:24 GMT CS246. Principles from the Cognitive Sciences for Human-Computer Interaction

CS246. Principles from the Cognitive Sciences for Human-Computer Interaction

Stanford University 1995-96

Hank Strub (Interval Research)

Many results and methodologies in the cognitive sciences can be applied to understand ways people think about activities, reason and solve problems, and perceive auditory and visual stimuli. This course surveys some of the most practical aspects of the cognitive sciences and applies them to problems in Human-Computer Interaction. Target readings and homework assignments cover useful highlights of the literature and methodologies with high "bang for the buck" for HCI. Students learn when and how different areas of the cognitive sciences are likely to be useful (or not be useful) in design. Background in cognition and perception is not expected. Course topics have little overlap with those in psychology classes.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing, or consent of instructor. Recommended: 147
3 units - TTh 11:00-12:15, Green ESB 134

Overview for 1995-96

Many designers say "design for the people who will use your designs" and "know your users". The cognitive sciences have developed a base of knowledge about people in general, and a good deal of it is actually useful in interface design! Also, the common suggestion "well, go study some people" can be performed better with more trustworthy results if you have knowledge of testing techniques.

This course introduces a practical side of the cognitive sciences, oriented to designers. Focused readings and homework assignments will cover useful highlights of the theory and high "bang for the buck" methodologies. Students will see cases of when and how different areas of cognitive theory may and may not be useful to design. Additionally, students will learn about and try different testing methodologies.

Major topics surveyed this quarter will include high level cognition/perception (e.g., reasoning, affordances, gestalt psychology); low level cognition/perception (e.g., attention, color vision, sound); applied methodologies (e.g., "the experiment," effective interviewing, the case study, and other methods); design and human error; a designer's view of human memory; and application issues.

CS-246 is targeted for designers. A background in cognition and perception is not expected. Course topics are likely to have little overlap with those in psychology classes and the perspective will be different where there is overlap.


The course will be oriented around weekly readings, and regular homework assignments which exercise skills that support design and analysis. The midterm is likely to be a take-home on the scale of a big homework. There will probably not be a final exam, although the quarter's last homework assignment will tie together the course.

Click here for the 94-95 reading list
Click here for list of HCI courses at Stanford
Information provided for the Stanford Computer Science Department by the HCI Course Coordinator as part of the description of HCI at Stanford. Last updated January 6, 1996