Teaching Human Computer Interaction: First Experiences

Abstract

Human-computer interaction is a very recent discipline at the Universidad de Costa Rica. Inthis paper we present the experiences of the first academic year the first courses about humancomputerinteraction, an undergraduate course and a Masters course, were designed andtaught. The HCI course introduction strategy consisted of two steps: 1) to initiate a dedicatedundergraduate course during the first term, and 2) to initiate a dedicated Masters courseduring the second term, simultaneously taught with the undergraduate course. Both coursesshare the outline. However, due to differences among undergraduate and graduate studentsand among undergraduate and Masters courses, evaluation methodology differences wereimplemented, resulting in more assignments and a higher exigency level for graduatestudents. Work in the classroom is different for each of the courses, because graduate studentscan build their own knowledge based on their previous working experience and on theexchange of ideas with other students. In both undergraduate and Masters courses, emphasisis set on practice supported by theory.