Human Computer Interaction Help and Documentation Topic Structure

Human Computer Interaction Help and Documentation

Topic & Structure of the lesson Help and Documentation • Types of help and documentation • Focus of help system • Features of an ideal help system Human Computer Interaction Slide 2 of 28

Learning Outcomes Help and Documentation At the end of this lecture, you should be able to: • Design help (manual or online) • List and describe the types of help and documentation • Describe the requirements in designing help and documentation • Describe the features of an ideal help system Human Computer Interaction Slide 3 of 28

Key Terms you must be able to use Help and Documentation If you have mastered this topic, you should be able to use the following terms correctly in your assignments and exams: • Quick reference • Task-specific help • Full explanation • Tutorial Human Computer Interaction Slide 4 of 28

Introduction Help and Documentation • In designing a system, we should assume that the user will require assistance at various time • The types of assistance user requires depend on many factors: Ø Familiarity Ø The job they are trying to do Human Computer Interaction Slide 5 of 28

Types of Help and documentation Help and Documentation • • Quick reference Task – specific help Full explanation tutorial Human Computer Interaction Slide 6 of 28

Quick reference Help and Documentation • I am stuck on a trivial thing • It is used, – A reminder to the user of the details of tools he is basically familiar with and has used before • It can be used to: – Remind the user of the syntax of the command Human Computer Interaction Slide 7 of 28

Quick reference example Help and Documentation Human Computer Interaction Slide 8 of 28

Task – specific help Help and Documentation • I am stuck on a thing that I don’t really know about • It is required, – Encountered a problem in performing a particular task – uncertain how to apply the tool to his particular problem • It is direct related to what is being done. Human Computer Interaction Slide 9 of 28

Task specific help example Help and Documentation Human Computer Interaction Slide 10 of 28

Full explanation Help and Documentation • I m really stuck!!! • Experienced user • To understand, – How to apply the tool to the particular problem – To understand the command or a tool thoroughly • Include detail information which user might not need at that time Human Computer Interaction Slide 11 of 28

Full explanation Example Help and Documentation Human Computer Interaction Slide 12 of 28

Tutorial Help and Documentation • • Learning through practice Aimed at new users of a tool Provides step by step instruction Working through examples of how to use the tools Human Computer Interaction Slide 13 of 28

Tutorial Example Help and Documentation Human Computer Interaction Slide 14 of 28

Focus of Help system Help and Documentation 1. Problem oriented and specific • Context sensitive 2. System oriented and general • A general documentation / manual Human Computer Interaction Slide 15 of 28

Features of an ideal help system Help and Documentation • • • Availability Accuracy and completeness Consistency Robustness Flexibility Unobtrusiveness Human Computer Interaction Slide 16 of 28

Features of an ideal help system Help and Documentation • Availability – Ability to access help at any time during user interaction with the system – Continuous access – Ideally: should run concurrently with any other application Human Computer Interaction Slide 17 of 28

Features of an ideal help system Help and Documentation Human Computer Interaction Slide 18 of 28

Features of an ideal help system Help and Documentation • Accuracy and completeness – Accuracy: reflects current state – Completeness: cover the whole system – *Hint* • • Human Computer Interaction Assume that all parts must be supported Finding no help available on a topic of interest is guaranteed to frustrate the user Slide 19 of 28

Features of an ideal help system Help and Documentation • Consistency – Help provided must be consistent with all the others and within itself – Online help should be consistent with paper documentation – Consistent in terms of content, information and style of presentation Human Computer Interaction Slide 20 of 28

Features of an ideal help system Help and Documentation • Robustness – Ability to provide correct error handling and predictable behaviour • Flexibility – Interact with the help system according to user’s needs – Produce appropriate help message according to user’s needs Human Computer Interaction Slide 21 of 28

Features of an ideal help system Help and Documentation • Unobtrusiveness – Should not prevent the user from continuing with normal work Human Computer Interaction Slide 22 of 28

Features of an ideal help system Help and Documentation Human Computer Interaction Slide 23 of 28

Quick Review Question Help and Documentation • List the 4 types of help and documentation. • List all the feature of an ideal help system Human Computer Interaction Slide 24 of 28

Follow Up Assignment Help and Documentation • Evaluate on any existing help system and suggest improvement plans for the system. • Design a help system for your group project Human Computer Interaction Slide 25 of 28

Summary of Main Teaching Points Help and Documentation • Types of help and documentation • Quick reference • Task – specific help • Full explanation • Tutorial • Features of an ideal help system • Availability • Accuracy and completeness • Consistency • Robustness • Flexibility • Unobtrusiveness Human Computer Interaction Slide 26 of 28

Next Session Help and Documentation End Human Computer Interaction Slide 27 of 28