ClassInfo

HCI 440 Introduction to User-Centered Design

Summer 10 week 2013-2014
Class number: 41008
Section number: 201
W 5:45PM - 9:00PM
CDM 00200 Loop Campus

Summary

Welcome to HCI 440 - Introduction to User-Centered Design (UCD). In this class, you will learn and practice UCD. But in order 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 ‐ 5 throughout the class to create a low‐fidelity prototype of an innovative mobile application by following a UCD 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
  • http://proquestcombo.safaribooksonline.com.ezproxy2.lib.depaul.edu/9780470665763/v ‐ Login using your Campus Connect credentials


Grading

Grade Determination

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 points
Real World Situations 20 points
Team Project 1: Requirements 20 points
Team Project 2: Conceptual Model 10 points
Team Project 3: Prototype 20 points
Team Project 4: Test Plan 10 points
Real World Video Project 20 points
Team Project 5: Prototype II 10 points
Team Project 6: Team Presentation 20 points
Team Participation 20 points
Online Participation 20 points
Final Exam 50 points

Grading 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 (Below 60%)

Late assignment submission policy:

- 10% reduction per day late and worth zero points after 3 days
- Distance Learning student assignments and projects are due 24 hours after in-class schedule shown here in syllabus


Prerequisites

IT 130, HCI 332 or completion of prerequisite phase.



Important Notes

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 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.

Office Hours:

Wednesday, 5:00 pm - 5:45 pm; 9:00 pm - 9:45 pm - In our classroom
(Also in D2L's Online Rooms for Distance Learning students)

Our Lectures:

You can download the PowerPoint lectures from D2L 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.

Distance Learning students may attend the class real time and ask questions by going to Online Rooms in top navigation of D2L. This is similar to Wimba functionality, in case you are familiar with that application.

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.



Tentative Schedule

Week Day Topic Text Reading Exam or Project Due

1

June 18 Introduction to UCD Chapters 1, 9

2

June 25 Requirements Gathering Chapters 7.4, 7.5, 10 Alarm Clock Essay

3

July 2 Conceptual Design Chapter 2 Real World Situations

4

July 9 Cognition Chapter 3 Requirements Project

5

July 16 Design, Prototyping & Construction Chapter 11 Conceptual Model Project

6

July 23 Evaluation Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15.2, 15.3 Prototype I Project

7

July 30 In-class Usability Testing Usability Test Plan Project

8

August 6 Special Topics (Innovation, Accessibility, Persuasion) Real World Video Project

9

August 13 Real World Discussions Prototype II Project
Team Final Presentation Video (The Pitch)

10

August 20 Team Participation
Online Participation
Final Exam


School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

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.

Online Course Evaluations

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.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

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.

Academic Policies

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 with Disabilities

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