Prefaci Albert N. Badre

Overview of UOC HCI Program: Rationale and Justification


Computers and electronic communication systems are becoming increasingly important both for the Spanish economy and society and culture generally. It is therefore increasingly important to make these systems usable, useful, effective, and satisfactory, and that is the goal of the new discipline of Human Computer Interaction (HCI). This was also the goal when I lead the effort to develop the Masters degree program in Human Computer Interaction at Georgia Tech a little over a decade ago. The Faculty of Computer Science, multimedia, and Telecommunication of UOC, one of Spain's premier on-line learning institutions, has recognized this goal and is offering a professional Certificate in Human Computer Interaction at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. It is the first on-line, distance-education, and interdisciplinary certificate program in HCI in the world. All the courses in the Program have been developed specifically for the HCI Certificate.

Why is this an important undertaking for UOC, and for distance education in particular? First, there is no doubt in my mind that the HCI certificate will contribute significantly to the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya’s status as a leading resource for on-line HCI education and research in Catalunya and in Spain. Second, there is clear need for sophisticated HCI skills within the rapidly developing information industries, as well as in government. This need exists nationally in Spain, and in the Barcelona area and in Catalunya. Most of the professionals who can meet this need, but require some HCI training are already working in the Information Technology industry. While still at their jobs, they wish to improve their skills in user-centered design in order to meet the growing requirements of their clients for easy to use, satisfactory, and effective interactive technology.

The Certificate in Human Computer Interaction is a full-time program, which fulfills the stated need for professionals who want to continue with their current jobs. Its objective is to provide students with the practical skills and understanding they need to be effective practitioners in the design and evaluation of computer interfaces.

Successful user centered design must be supported by knowledge of computer technology, human behavior and evaluation methods, and the art of design. The Certificate’s eight courses are designed to reflect this interdisciplinary mix. The goal of the Program is to train students in the basic skills of HCI. Additionally, through hands-on projects participation, the students will learn to respond to the evolving marketplace of tools and requirements. The goals of the Certificate is for the student to learn how to:

• Make a case for the importance of HCI in system development when trying to convince management and software engineers of the virtues of user-centered design
• Describe the goals of user interface design and evaluation
• Apply an integrated perspective to the usability design process
• Construct an evaluation plan
• Apply a practical set of methods for assessing the usability of designs
• Make the case for accessibility as a normal extension of usability
• Be able to decide how far to go with accessibility and choose the proper guidelines
• Construct a Web site using the Section 508 standards or W3C WCAG guidelines
• Make the case for integration of accessibility, usability and aesthetic design
• Develop an understanding of the concepts of visualization and interaction
• Explain how the principles of Universal Design can eliminate barriers and improve usability

Albert Badre
Professor Emeritus, Georgia Tech
CEO, Interfacile, Inc.