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Using mental models to prevent “human error”
One of the last lectures of my online Human-Computer Interaction (‘HCI’) course by Scott Klemmer was all about “mental models” and their role within HCI. The proposition that people rely on mental models was first introduced by Scottish psychologist Kenneth Craik who wrote that the mind constructs “small-scale models” of reality that it uses to reason,…
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What to do with Apple’s “iBeacon”?
The ‘iBeacon’ is Apple’s recent product which uses location-sensing technology to help extend location services within the iOS operating system. For example, with the help of an iBeacon an iOS device or other hardware can alert its (location based) apps when a user leaves or enters a certain location. Also, when a user is getting closer…
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“Collaboration Explained” (Book Review)
The book “Collaboration Explained” by Jean Tabaka was published in 2006 and had been on my ‘books to read’ list for quite a while before I finally got my hands on it. Jean Tabaka specialises in Agile software development and has worked closely with a host of businesses and teams to implement Agile methodologies. In “Collaboration…
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Learning more about direct manipulation and reducing the ‘gulfs’
“Direct manipulation” is one of those Human-Computer Interaction (‘HCI’) terms that sounds intriguing. During the online HCI course instructed by Scott Klemmer which I did recently, I learned a bit more about what direct manipulation means. Direct manipulation is a HCI method which involves continuous representation of objects of interest and rapid, reversible, and incremental actions…
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What on earth is “mob programming”?!
The other day I heard Woody Zuill – an Agile Coach at Hunter Industries in San Diego, US – speak about “mob programming”. At first, the simpleton in me thought this meant writing code dressed in fancy suits, wearing shady hats and stylish sunglasses … Woody corrected this presumption fairly swiftly: “mob programming” involves having…
As I learn ... 