Teaching human-computer interaction from real world examples - Furnishing creativity?

Abstract

This paper argues that it can give good results to use bad and good design examples when teaching Human-Computer Interaction provided that the examples are elaborated by the teacher in a manner that enables a changed (shaken) mind-set in the students. In the paper examples from lectures, exercises and larger assignments using concrete material as a base, are discussed from the perspective of general theories of education. The key issue in the teaching process in order to reach this level is the proper elaboration of the used examples and exercises, leaving the reflection on the problem to the students to a large extent. One conclusion is that it is possible to use elaboration to support the students' learning so that he or she is enabled to understand the general problem and create new solutions to given problems. Elaboration of concrete examples can in this way support even a creative level of learning. © 2009 International Federation for Information Processing.