ISCOM Meeting Notes

Monday, September 23th, 2013

ISCOM Speaker Series: Dr. Shaun Kane

Contact Information:

Dr. Shaun Kane (http://userpages.umbc.edu/~skane/)

What is HCI? (Human Computer Interaction):

- Computer science, used “for good”

- Applying skills to developing technology to help solve real problems

- Understanding how to make things for how people work

- Adapting complex ideas from computer science for a specific user population

Sample HCI research and project:

- “Access Lens”, a gesture-based screenreader for real-world documents using a desk mounted camera that identifies and recognizes text area

- Uses computer vision finger techniques to guide user where text is located on the page

- Video: http://youtu.be/gyBT4e_PoK8

Lab for HCI Research at UMBC: The PAD (http://umbcpad.com/)

- Space where students can work on interesting research ideas with students and faculty

- Research and projects create change with populations in need and make a difference in the lives of underserved populations

How can students can get involved in HCI and HCI research?

- Apply for the Master’s program in Human Centered Computing (HCC) at UMBC

- Take related undergraduate courses such as IS 303, IS 403, and IS 448

- Contact a faculty or staff member! Be sure to do background research, read their UMBC userpages site, and start with a serious direction of your research interest.