ISM 360 User Experience Research Method (Formerly Ism 360)
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Summary
This course provides an overview of user research and usability evaluation methods. Working as teams, students choose a working computer application and practice course methods on it throughout the term. Students learn to conduct user research to determine user needs and core tasks for the chosen application. User research results are presented in the form of user profiles (aka personas) and task scenarios. The results of user research are then used to guide usability evaluation methods including heuristic evaluation, walkthroughs and usability tests.
Texts
Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner's Guide to User Research, 2nd edition. Goodman, Kuniavsky & Moed, Morgan Kaufmann/Elsevier Science, 2012. ISBN: 978-0123848697.
Grading
Grading will be based on class participation (10%), group projects (45%), a quiz (5%), a midterm (20%), and a final exam (20%).
Students receiving more than 90% of possible points are guaranteed at least an A-, more than 80% at least a B-, more than 70% at least a C-, and more than 60% at least a D.
Prerequisites
IM 210 or ISM 210.
Expectations
The course will involve completing readings before class meetings and preparing for class discussions. Class meetings will involve a combination of lecture, discussions, hands-on activities, presentations of homework projects, and group work. There will be a quiz, a midterm, and a final exam to assess understanding of course topics. Homework projects will be conducted in teams, and are designed to provide skills practice and deeper engagement with course concepts.
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