The field of Human-Centered Computing (HCC) has emerged from the convergence of multiple disciplines and research areas that are concerned both with understanding human beings and with the design of computational devices and interfaces. Researchers and designers of human-centered computing include individuals from computer science, sociology, psychology, cognitive science, engineering, graphic design, and industrial design.
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In the words of the Intelligent Systems Project of
NASA, "Human-centered computing (HCC) studies the design, development,
and deployment of mixed-initiative human-computer systems. It embodies
a "systems view" that includes computational tools, cognitive and
social systems, and physical facilities and environment. HCC inherits
the complexity of software engineering and systems integration, plus
modeling of human-machine, human-information (NG), and human-human
interaction. Advances in theory and modeling require systematic data on
such interactions in realistically complex environments.” Further
development of this field will allow the design of effective computer
systems that will take into account human, social, and cultural
aspects, systems that people would like to use.
The Task Force on Human Centered Computing (TFHCC)
addresses issues such as information design, human information
interaction, human computer interaction, the relationship between
technology and art, and social, and cultural issues. TFHCC aims to
provide researchers and developers in the IEEE Computer Society (CS)
and the public communities a “systems view” that includes computational
tools, cognitive and social systems, and physical facilities and
environments. It plans to raise the awareness to the difficulties of
designing software and hardware systems that are effective from a human
context view and assist in providing effective and practical solutions.
The TF will tackle how these issues affect software and system
complexity.
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Key Goals of the Task Force
The task force, in its initial period, works toward four major goals:
- Establishing critical resources (web page presence, informal
meetings framework and plan for a large conference) in the field of
Human Centered Computing.
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Forging and developing relationships with other organizations (ACM
SIGCHI, IFIP TC13, IFIP TC14 and the associated world-wide national
societiesof IFIP). This goal requires understanding of the unique role
each organization could play. These activities and relationships will
form the base for potential longer-term efforts.
- Developing a strategic research and development roadmap for HCC
(basic and applied) and for its relationships with other relevant areas
in technology.
- Exploring the role of standards related to HCC and their potential.
Development Within the Computer Society
An essential part of the work of the Task force on Human Centered Computing is the interface with existing Technical Committees and Task Forces within CS. The study of the interface of technology and humans cannot be fruitful without the knowledge of both technology and humans. The research done in HCC elsewhere could overlap with work done within the TCs and TFs. The TF thrives to coordinate and avoid duplication. It plans to survey the work done within the CS groups and look for ways to help them integrate human issues with their endeavors.
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