Design for Living: The Theoretical and Practical Relevance of HCI to Communication Research.

Viewed through an investigation of the cultural and social impact of Information Technology (IT), this paper attempts to illustrate the theoretical and practical utility of HCI (Human Computer Interaction) to communication research. Informed by the full integration hypothesis, which suggests that information technologies have become part of the fabric of daily life, the paper illustrates the relevance of HCI to the design and development of safe, productive and usable artifacts. Using several relevant themes of HCI (individual differences, stakeholder analysis, sociotechnical design, and usability), the paper observes that HCI's interdisciplinary pragmatism offers considerable insight into the phenomenon of Information Technology. Furthermore, as a form of action research, HCI is not merely interested in the prediction and control of design outcomes, rather HCI actively shapes technological innovation. The paper suggests that both HCI and communication scholars could benefit from a mutual exchange of conceptual and methodological approaches. Contains 61 references. (Author/RS) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***********************************************************************

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