O contexto educacional da área de interação humano-computador em duas graduações

Abstract

Software is present in different contexts, its use may have varying degrees of implications and ramifications, and it is common to find problems related to them. People are also present in different contexts and use software in different ways and in different activities. The problems related to the interaction between humans and computers have a great social cost which is often ignored. Despite being a recognized research area and have been inserted in the curriculum guidelines of computer area courses, the teaching context of the Human-Computer Interaction content varies greatly, not only between different undergraduate courses, but also between universities that offer such courses. This study investigated the context of HCI education through a study of two analogous undergraduate courses in universities from different countries. The study allowed the analysis of HCI content present in both courses, the number of modules and hours, topics addressed, when the students have contact with HCI content and teaching methodology. Through this study, we found several factors that influence the HCI education in the national and international context. Moreover, the study allowed the investigation regarding the presence of research groups, laboratories and events dedicated to HCI and the perception of students regarding the IHC field, identifying several factors involved in the central issue of IHC education in undergraduate courses. These include: information and personal experiences, such as major, period, participation in internship or research; perceptions of the HCI field such as its concept and relevance; knowledge about research conducted by the university in the HCI field and perceptions about HCI-related modules, as motivation for enrollment and expectations. It was possible to establish some relationships between these factors and their influence in the analyzed phenomenon - superficially. The central phenomenon studied (HCI Education at Undergraduate Level) is influenced mainly by the University, Major, Teachers and Students. In addition to these factors influencing each other, they create a context in which the phenomenon is influenced by each factor in different ways - depending on their peculiarities. In general, these elements are present in both contexts examined, but have different characteristics that make the contexts different from each other.