Human-computer interaction and the learning sciences

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research has been highly influential in understanding the potential of new technologies to support human activities. Research in the Learning Sciences (LS) draws on multiple fields to improve learning and education. Both are active research communities with well-established practices, core values and a substantial body of literature. As both concentrate on utilizing computing technologies to better support people, there is a natural overlap; however, the Learning Sciences are not simply HCI applied to the domain of learning. The practices, traditions, and values are substantially different leading to tensions are keenly felt by researchers who actively participate in both fields. They also make it harder for researchers in either field to move towards the other. To explore and improve the relationship between these fields, we organized the workshop "Human-Computer Interaction and the Learning Sciences." This workshop was meant for both interdisciplinary researchers (i.e., active participants in both communities) and researchers from either discipline interested in the other field. In this paper, we support these audiences by providing introductions to the two fields: their histories, values and practices.