Proceedings of the 2006 Informing Science and IT Education Joint Conference The Human-Computer Interaction Spiral

Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for effective human computer interaction. Historically computer science, psychology and the social sciences have operated as discreet disciplines. However with the increased use of Information communication technologies in everyday life issues of appropriate design, functionality and accessibility assume increased importance. In this paper a model for effective multidisciplinary human-computer interaction (HCI) is presented. This is an interactive spiral that informs science through the integration of observations, reflections, theories and practices across a diverse range of disciplines. Informed multidisciplinary responses increase the likelihood of appropriate design solutions. Case studies in tertiary education and mental health are used to illustrate the application of the HCI spiral for ongoing multidisciplinary collaboration in HCI design