Digital Content Management & Human-Computer Interaction

Course Description

The course introduces students to the basic concepts of Human-Computer Interaction, explaining fundamental concepts such the role of user's mental model of interaction, usability design principles, evaluation methods and techniques. Going beyond the fundamentals, at the second part of the course, advanced methods for improving user experience are presented in detail, including analyzing web site data (using google analytics), recommendation algorithms, exploiting social media and SEO techniques to improve site's effectiveness.

In the first part of the course, the following concepts are analyzed:

• User Experience (UX)
• Cyberpsychology
• Interactivity and methods of measuring Perceived Interactivity
• Relation between actual and perceived interactivity
• Cognitive Psychology models that analyze the processing of information provided in the digital environment (Elaboration Likelihood Model)
• Subjective Differentiation in Digital Applications
• Usability principles and evaluation methods

In the second part of the course, the following are presented:

• Research methods in the Digital Environment and Digital Systems
• Introduction to experimental methodology using advanced scientific tools (e.g., eye-tracking)
• Information Architecture
• Design Thinking
• Principles of designing:
  
  • Websites
  • Applications based on the eSostac Plan and IMC (Integrated Marketing Communications)
  • The Digital Consumer – User

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• ave proven knowledge and understanding of issues in the human-centered design of digital systems (website, application, etc.) with the criterion of shaping effective communication between the User and the Computer. Their acquired knowledge is supported by advanced scientific textbooks and includes views arising from modern developments at the cutting edge of a specific field of knowledge.
• Be able to employ the knowledge and key theories in a manner that demonstrates a professional approach. They will be able to design advanced user experience in digital systems and interfaces. The ultimate objective is to create a database of loyal and systematically users, ensuring long-term sustainability and profitability of the website or application and the company overall.
• Have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data to form judgments that include considerations of related social, scientific, or ethical issues concerning human-oriented design of digital systems and effective interaction between humans and computers.
• Be capable of effectively communicating information, ideas, problems, and solutions related to interface design in the digital environment to both specialized and non-specialized audiences.
• Have developed the learning skills necessary to continue their studies with a high degree in areas such as User Experience, Cyberpsychology, Interactive Communication, and Research in the digital environment with advanced tools (such as eye-tracking), Information Architecture and Content Management.