HCI 440 Introduction to User-Centered Design
Summary
Welcome to HCI 440 Usability Engineering at DePaul University. In this class, you will learn and practice user-centered design (UCD). To practice UCD, you will learn to apply each of its components, which include user and task analysis, conceptual design, detailed design and evaluation. This course introduces the basics of these practices and sets the context for further studying them in the program's core courses. All students will work within a group of 4 - 6 throughout the class to create a low-fidelity prototype of an innovative mobile application by following a user-centered design process. Groups for the in-class section will meet both inside and outside of the classroom. Groups for the distance learning section will "meet" virtually using tools such as email and Skype. The class project will require a significant time commitment and will contribute to a substantial part of your final grade.
Texts
Interaction Design, by J. Preece, Y. Rogers and H. Sharp. 3rd edition
Grading
There is an opportunity to earn 230 points in the class based on the break-down below.
There is no opportunity for extra-credit.
Alarm Clock Essay (10)
Real World Situations Assignment (20)
Team Project 1: Requirements (20)
Team Project 2: Conceptual Model (10)
Team Project 3: Prototype (20)
Team Project 4: Test Plan (10)
Real World Video Project (20)
Team Project 5: Prototype II (10)
Team Project 6: Team Presentation (20)
Group Participation (20)
Online Participation (20)
Final Exam (50)
Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
A : 214-230 (93-100%)
A-: 207-213 (90-92%)
B+: 200-206 (87-89%)
B : 191-199 (83-86%)
B-: 184-190 (80-82%)
C+: 177-183 (77-79%)
C : 168-176 (73-76%)
C-: 161-167 (70-72%)
D+: 154-160 (67-69%)
D : 138-153 (60-66%)
F : Below 138 points (60% or below)
Late assignment submission policy:
10% reduction per day late and worth zero points after 3 days
Prerequisites
IT 130, HCI 332 or completion of prerequisite phase.
Important Notes
Our Schedule
We have an intense, yet reasonable schedule. It is important that each week you keep up with your reading, actively attend or watch the lectures, participate in online discussions and proactively work with your team. This is a graduate class. I expect each of you to be ready to discuss the required reading during each class period and I expect each of you to participate in our online discussions. I believe lecturing for three consecutive hours is cruel and unusual punishment, so I will incorporate discussions and breaks into every lecture. Usability Engineering is a very interesting field. There's no reason for our lectures to be boring. I'll try my best to keep things interesting, but keep in mind that you'll enjoy each lecture more if you come prepared.
Virtual office hours: Wed, 5:15 pm - 5:45 pm on Skype (cyberboomerang)
Our Lectures
You can download the PowerPoint lectures from COL in the Documents section. Each lecture focuses on the most important points for the weekly topic(s). Each week I will discuss real world examples related to each topic and encourage you to share your related experiences with the class. The final exams will pull heavily from the material that we cover in lecture, but you will also be tested on information that you will learn from your required readings in the textbook.
DL students, because you will not be able to actively participate in the lectures, I strongly encourage you to participate frequently in the online discussions.
Your Team Project
You will work with the same team throughout the class to create an innovative mobile application by following a User-Centered Design process. You will begin the project by selecting a user group and potential application to design for that group. You will study the problem space by investigating current, related or competitive solutions, interviewing and/or surveying users, brainstorming with your team and then creating a set of requirements for your product. You will then create several alternative conceptual models to meet these requirements. After selecting the most compelling conceptual model (or a combination of conceptual models), you will create a prototype for your device (or application). Usability testing will be performed on your prototype and a second iteration of the prototype will be created based upon user feedback. Finally, each team will create a "pitch" video showing off their design.
Topic: Introduction to UCD
Readings: Chapters 1,9
Topic: Requirements Gathering
Readings: Chapters 10, 7.4, 7.5
Due: Alarm Clock Essay
Topic: Conceptual Design
Readings: Chapter 2
Due: Real World Situations Assignment
Topic: Cognition
Readings: Chapter 3
Due: Requirements Gathering Project
Topic: Design, Prototyping & Construction
Readings: Chapter 11
Due: Conceptual Model Project
Topic: Evaluation
Readings: Chapters 12, 13, 14 15.2 and 15.3
Due: Prototype I Project
Topic: In-Class Usability Testing
Due: Usability Test Plan Project
Topic: Special Topics (Innovation, Accessibility, Persuasion)
Due: Real World Video Project
Real World Discussions
Due: Prototype II Project
Final Presentations
Due: Team Final Presentation Video (The Pitch)
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296