Building The Next Generation of Practitioners: What Is Broken In HCI Teaching (And How We Might Fix It)

Designing effective Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) curricula in Higher Education presents a range of challenges and constraints. Some challenges stem from the nature of HCI as a discipline; an inherently interdisciplinary field that encompasses a complex array of theories, practices, and methodologies. With a closer focus on user-centred design, the challenges are exacerbated due to the need for authentic user engagement and the lack of time and resources for iterative development and testing. Additionally, some challenges relate to students’ mindset, particularly a tendency toward tool-centric thinking, which often undermines the contextual relevance and user needs. And finally, it is crucial to recognise the African context within this landscape, considering educators’ and students’ own experiences, culture, and resources. This interactive course invites educators to explore these challenges through engaging discussions, exchanging knowledge, and learning more about the latest literature trends in the research community, hoping to leave with inspired solutions and practical workarounds to deliver high-quality HCI curricula in the African continent and beyond.