HCI (CITS3201) Lab Class 2

Week 3 (11th March 2009)

Introduction to Metaphors and Conceptual Models

Objectives

In this practical you will put into practice ideas you met in lecture 3 and chapter 2 of your text book.  Specifically, the objective is to enable you to discuss the use of metaphors and conceptual models in the design of interfaces. The exercises below are based on activities in your text book SRP http://www.id-book.com/index.php

 

Allocated Time

3-3:45pm Wednesday 11th March in CS Lab 2.01 (supervised)

OR anytime, anywhere with access via a web browser to the Internet

 

TodayÕs lab can be performed alone or in small groups. You will just need access to a web browser.

 

Task 1

Examine a web browser you use and list the metaphors that have been incorporated into its design. Hint: look for icons, consider the names of widgets and other less visible parts of the browser and of pages which it displays, and consider how you might explain how parts work.

 

Task 2

Compare the ways the following information artifacts are organized:

á      A personal pocket-sized calendar/diary (one week to a page)

á      A wall calendar (one month plus picture to a page)

á      A wall planner  (whole year display)

 

What are the main concepts and metaphors behind each? In particular how should we conceptualize time?

 

Task 3

Now consider what conceptual models you might use to guide the design of the following:

á      An electronic personal calendar (on a personal organizer or computer)

á      A shared calendar on the web

 

Answer the following:

á      How do they differ?

á      What are the benefits over an equivalent physical artifact?

á      What new functionality has been provided?

á      What interface metaphors have been used?

á      Will new users have problems understanding how these kinds of interactive calendars work?

á      What aspects of the conceptual model might be confusing?

 

 

UWA CITS 3201  semester 1, 2009