User Interface Design and Ergonomics - National Open University of ...

UNIT 1 HUMAN CAPABILITIES IN USER INTERFACE DESIGN
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Human Processor Model
3.2 Perception
3.3 Motor Skills
3.4 Colour
3.5 Attention
3.6 Error
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor Marked Assignment
7.0 Further Reading and Other Resources
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This unit describes Human capabilities in User interface design. The concept of Human
processor model is introduced alongside perception, motor skills, colour, attention and
errors.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
By the end this unit, you should be able to:
• Explain the Human processor model
• Describe various terms like perception, motor skills, e.tc
• Explain the concepts of attention and errors
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 HUMAN PROCESSOR MODEL
Human processor model is a cognitive modeling method used to calculate how long it
takes to perform a certain task. Other cognitive modeling methods include parallel
design, GOMS, and KLM (human-computer interaction). Cognitive modeling methods
are one way to evaluate the usability of a product. This method uses experimental times
to calculate cognitive and motor processing time. The value of the human processor
model is that it allows a system designer to predict the performance with respect to time it
takes a person to complete a task without performing experiments. Other modeling
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