Homework: Direct Manipulation
Early computer systems relied on command line interfaces to perform all actions. Today, the majority of systems use direct manipulation rather than a command line interface. The goal of designing a direct manipulation interface is to make use of the system intuitive to the end user. One industry that has been extremely successful designing intuitive direct manipulation inputs is the video game industry. Most game players are able to learn controls as they play a game and then apply the same controls to similar games. Rarely do they need to read a user manual.
Write a four to five page paper in which you:
a) Describe the three principles of direct manipulation and give examples as to how they are used in video game controls.
b) Analyze video game-type interfaces and discuss three reasons why video game-type interfaces would not be effective for real-world applications.
c) Describe at least three advantages of direct manipulation versus command line interfaces.
d) Evaluate direct manipulation and describe three problems with it.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this homework are:
a) Describe direct manipulation and virtual environments.
b) Use technology and information resources to research issues in human-computer interaction.
c) Write clearly and concisely about HCI topics using proper writing mechanics and technical style conventions.