Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on the design, evaluation, and implementation of interactive computer systems, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the interaction between humans and machines. HCI is concerned with studying how users interact with technology, understanding their needs, and creating user-friendly interfaces that facilitate efficient and satisfying experiences.
This NZQA standard 92006 is an external examination worth 5 Credits. The exam is on Tuesday, 18th November 2025
At the start of each lesson have a look at one of the following websites. What makes it a poor design? Each website has a link underneath it to a discussion or explanation for why the website exists.
In small groups watch one of these videos and do a quick investigation about one of the scenarios about what could go wrong with software and user interfaces. Then assemble a group of different experts and explain it your classmates.
Therac-25 Radiation Overdoses
Hawaii False Missile Alert
Boeing 737 Max MCAS linked Crashes
Moon landing Lunar Module Errors
https://www.space.com/26593-apollo-11-moon-landing-scariest-moments.html
The Computer Science Field Guide has recently released a unit on mātauranga Māori. Read the webpage and answer the questions on the worksheet. After this read the article by Keegan, T. T. A. G. (2017) about the importance of accessible interfaces to Māori users.
Work through this worksheet as you read the resources on Mātauranga Māori
For neurodiverse students it may be useful to use a text to speech tool such as Read Aloud. Please note that this software has some issues pronouncing Māori words which itself could be failing in some aspects of Mātauranga Māori.
The old version of this worksheet.
This worksheet works along side the Excellent Article on Māori language interfaces by Te Taka Keegan. Each paragraph can be used as a lesson starter after the Computer Science Field Guide has been completed.
The old version of this worksheet.
Consider mātāpono Māori to assess the usability of a human-computer interface.
To help with your understanding, make a copy of this g.doc Heuristics for HCI - Gathering examples
Use the Air New Zealand website
Find (write or screen capture) an example and explain how this is an example of the heuristic on the g.doc
If you need some clarification, refer back to the slides, CS Field Guide, or your notes
Now you are an expert, make a copy of this g.doc Heuristics for HCI - In Reverse
Find examples (Write or screen capture) on the Woolworths Online website and work out which heuristic this does/does not meet and explain.
Then compare and contrast the internal and external consistency with New World Online
People often confuse the following heuristics, make sure you know the difference:
“Error Prevention and Help” with “Users Recognise, Diagnose, and Recover from Errors”
Help Users Recognise, Diagnose, and Recover from Errors will often be marked in RED. An error has happened and the user is informed.
Error Prevention will often be highlighted in GREY to show you cannot interact with them. This will prevent the user from ever entering a state in which an error can occur.
“Flexibility and Efficiency of Use” and “User Control and Freedom”
Flexibility and Efficiency of Use is about being able to do stuff lots of different ways. Look for filters, shortcuts (possibly keyboard), personalisation options.
User Control and Freedom is about being able to CANCEL, UNDO, REMOVE or GO BACK/RETURN. Look for little red x's, Breadcrumb navigation, or any buttons labeled with the key words above.
The website Game Accessibility Guidelines (Link) is a comprehensive, developer-friendly online resource dedicated to helping game creators make their video games more accessible to a wider range of players, including those with disabilities. Each guideline explains why it's important and how it can be implemented, often with examples. These guideline can be applied to a wide range of applications including websites, software, and even physical product interfaces.
Assessment specifications 2025
For 2025, examples of usability principles will be drawn from:
Mātāpono Māori
Nielsen’s usability heuristics
Usability concepts such as internal and external consistency, and accessibility.
Candidates will study an interface of their own choice before the assessment.
Candidates are expected to write no more than 800–1200 words in this assessment.
 92006-sam-2024.pdf
92006-sam-2024.pdf2023 Sample Assessment
 DTTA PUBLISHED Derived Grade Assessment 2024 92006.docx
DTTA PUBLISHED Derived Grade Assessment 2024 92006.docx2024 DDTA Derived Grade Exam
 92006-abk-2024.pdf
92006-abk-2024.pdf2024 Final Exam
Here are some of the past videos from the previous HCI standard. These could be useful to study as your own
 91886-vid-2018-AirBnB.mp4
91886-vid-2018-AirBnB.mp42018 AirBnB
 91886-vid-2018-metlink.mp4
91886-vid-2018-metlink.mp42018 Met Service
 91886-vid-2018-netflix.mp4
91886-vid-2018-netflix.mp42018 Netflix
 91886-vid-2019-AutoTrader.mp4
91886-vid-2019-AutoTrader.mp42019 AutoTrader
 91886-vid-2019-Trade Me.mp4
91886-vid-2019-Trade Me.mp42019 TradeMe
 91886-vid-2020-Harcourts.mp4
91886-vid-2020-Harcourts.mp42020 Harcourts
 91886-vid-2020-Mercury.mp4
91886-vid-2020-Mercury.mp42020 Mercury
 91886-vid-2020-RealEstate.mp4
91886-vid-2020-RealEstate.mp42020 RealEstate
 91886-vid-2020-Vodafone.mp4
91886-vid-2020-Vodafone.mp42020 Vodafone
 91886-vid-2021-EBGames.mp4
91886-vid-2021-EBGames.mp42021 EB Games
 91886-vid-2021_MightyApe.mp4
91886-vid-2021_MightyApe.mp42021 Mighty Ape
 91886-vid-2022-PBTech-JBHiFi.mp4
91886-vid-2022-PBTech-JBHiFi.mp42022 PB Tech + JBHiFi
 91886-vid-2023-notsocks-funkygifts.mp4
91886-vid-2023-notsocks-funkygifts.mp42023 Not Socks and Funky Gifts
https://userinyerface.com/
https://www.reddit.com/r/badUIbattles/
Task 2.1 - Exploring Tikanga and mātauranga Māori (link)
Task 2.2 - Exploring Tikanga and mātauranga Māori (link)
Task 3 - Users and Tasks (link)
Task 5 - Gathering Examples Air New Zealand (link)
Task 6 - Heuristics and Consistency (link)
Task 8 - Confusing Terms (link)
Task 10 - Accessibility in Video Games (link)