For this task I chose to evaluate a online textbook that is about human-computer interaction. I found it to be very useful as it explains the foundations right through to models and theories.
URL: http://www.hcibook.com/e3/
AUTHOR: Dix, A, Finlay, J, Abowd, GD & Beal, R
INSTITUTION: Pearson, Upper Saddle River, N.J.
This book is also used as a textbook, but it also offers a wealth of resources, exercises and also one can click on each segment of each chapter. It looks at other emerging technologies but is firmly rooted in strong principles and models independent of the passing technologies of the day. It can be used for introductory or advanced courses on human-computer interaction, Interaction Design, Usability or Interactive Systems Design. It would also prove as an invaluable reference for professionals wishing to design usable computing devices. The site is easy to use and finding information within the book can be done with just a click of the mouse.
I thought that this site was reliable due to the fact that it can be used as a textbook and the authors are a combination of 2 professors, 1 associate professor and a 1 lecturer from 3 UK and 1 USA university. This is the 3rd edition of the textbook and the previous editions are also available online from within the site.URL: http://www.hcibook.com/e3/
AUTHOR: Dix, A, Finlay, J, Abowd, GD & Beal, R
INSTITUTION: Pearson, Upper Saddle River, N.J.
This book is also used as a textbook, but it also offers a wealth of resources, exercises and also one can click on each segment of each chapter. It looks at other emerging technologies but is firmly rooted in strong principles and models independent of the passing technologies of the day. It can be used for introductory or advanced courses on human-computer interaction, Interaction Design, Usability or Interactive Systems Design. It would also prove as an invaluable reference for professionals wishing to design usable computing devices. The site is easy to use and finding information within the book can be done with just a click of the mouse.
I found that clicking on the chapters icon, I could view what was in each chapter and pick and choose what I wanted to read. Each chapter effortlessly flows into the next building an understanding of human-computer interaction for the reader. As it can be used from introductory to advanced courses in human-computer interaction, interaction design, usability or interactive systems design, it is easy to understand and gave me a better understanding of the subject. Personally I think that this online book is balanced as it is written specifically as a textbook which has to be balanced so that the student can form their own opinion of the subject.
In terms of future use, if I was doing an IT degree than my annotated bibliography would be more beneficial for me to refer back to as I think that it gives a quick overview of what the site has on offer. But alas I am doing a BA of Accountancy and I do not think there is much use for this type of site in my future, but I am grateful that I now have a better understanding of the Internet, thanks to NET11.
From an external point of view, if I was reading my annotated bibliography and I was after more information regarding human-computer interaction, I would use the hyperlink to look at the site, being that it is written as a textbook makes it even easier for a novice to understand human-computer interaction and they would find it useful and of interest to them as a stepping stone towards more a more in depth look at human-computer interaction.
Module 4 completed, thank god. Now onto module 5 and then onto conquering the accounting world. lol.
