Four Different Perspectives on Human-Computer Interaction

Abstract

In this paper the value of a multiperspective view on the use of computers is stressed. It is argued that the ability to apply more than one perspective is valuable both to designers of computer applications, to researchers dealing with human-computer applications, and to users of a particular computer application. As a means for that the systems perspective, the dialogue partner perspective, the tool perspective, and the media perspective are represented. All four perspectives are primarily characterized in relation to human-computer interaction, and the characterizations are based on a common set of concepts presented at the start of the paper. In the final section the value of applying multiple perspectives is illustrated by means of a few examples.