Welcome to Human-Computer Interaction II: Cognition, Context & Culture. This captivating course builds upon the foundation laid in CS6750: Human-Computer Interaction, as taught in the esteemed Georgia Tech Online Master of Science in Computer Science program.

In this course, you will delve deeper into the intricacies of human-computer interaction, broadening your perspective and understanding. We will begin by exploring the fascinating realm of mental models and their pivotal role in shaping a user’s interaction with your system. A skilled user interface designer comprehends these mental models and harnesses representations to align them effectively.

Next, we will equip you with the tools to dissect user behavior into objective, discernible, and measurable components. Task analysis and artifacts like GOMS models will empower you to deconstruct human interaction patterns, transforming them into tangible, manipulable elements. You will discover how to employ these artifacts to inform interface design and enhance user experiences.

As we progress, we will expand your horizon to encompass the context in which your interfaces operate. You will explore the fascinating concept of distributed cognition, where cognitive tasks are shared between humans and interfaces, forming higher-level cognitive systems. Theories like activity theory and situated action will guide your exploration of interaction in context, revealing the role of human improvisation in interface design.

Join us on this illuminating journey through Human-Computer Interaction II: Cognition, Context & Culture, as we unravel the complexities of human cognition, the environment in which interfaces exist, and the fusion of human intelligence with cutting-edge technology.