UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2018/2019
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
DIT406 HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION
DATE: AUGUST 2019 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE
a) Explain the following terms:
i) Schemata
ii) Script [4 Marks]
b) A problem with the ‘metaphor as model’ approach is the difficulty of introducing new
functionality. Explain how designers get round this [4 Marks]
c) The choice of input device for a computer system should contribute positively to the
usability of the system. Explain the factors to consider before choosing an appropriate input device
[4 Marks]
d) Norman model focus on which principle of HCI? [2 Marks]
e) Briefly explain the guidelines to ensure that commands are meaningful [3 Marks]
f) Describe two situations in which a mouse might be preferred over a joystick.
[2 Marks]
g) Describe three techniques that you would use to elicit user requirements for a new ecommerce site selling electrical appliances, such as fridges and televisions, to the public.
[3 Marks]
h) Consider the vertical scroll bar of a web browser or word processor. For each of Norman’s
five principles below, give one way that the scrollbar uses the principle for effective design.
Describe the interface model of the scroll bar in one sentence.
Affordance:
Constraints:
Mapping:
Visibility:
Feedback: [5 Marks]
i) Briefly explain why a designer’s model of a system will be different from the end-users’.
[3 Marks]
QUESTION TWO
a) Using four examples differentiate between design rules and principles [4 Marks]
b) Explain the three principles that exist when applying Fitts’ Law to interface designs:
[3 Marks]
c) Define direct manipulation and give four examples [5 Marks]
d) Define cognition, giving four examples [4 Marks]
e) Explain two theories that supports cognition [4 Marks]
QUESTION THREE
a) Explain the following statement, “forgiving system” [1 Mark]
b) Explain the eight shneiderman’s rules of interactive design [8 Marks]
c) Discuss the four goals of HCI [4 Marks]
d) Norman describes the trade-off between knowledge in the world and knowledge in the head
discuss four differences [4 Marks]
e) Define the term “false affordance” [3 Marks]
QUESTION FOUR
a) Form-fill is also widely used in web pages, to obtain feedback or to elicit customer details
in transactions. Discuss five issues which should be considered when designing forms
[5 Marks]
b) Name five ways you could improve the KCA website text links [5 Marks]
c) There are many types of designs that can lead to false affordance, name six [6 Marks]
d) Define usability in HCI [4 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE
a) What is a metaphor, give five examples of metaphors used in windows operating systems
[10 Marks]
b) Using examples, explain four factors that determine grouping [8 Marks]
c) Explain the following terms
i) Perception
ii) System feedback [2 Marks]
