ClassInfo

HCI 590 Topics in Human-Computer Interaction

Craig Miller

Office: CDM 745
Spring 2018-2019
Class number: 30748
Section number: 902
Tu 5:45PM - 9:00PM
LEWIS 01509 Loop Campus

Summary

Design and analysis of interactive technologies with emphasis on complex interactions and repeated use. Analysis and selection of appropriate interaction styles including command entry, form completion, menu selection, direct manipulation, code-based automation, and intelligent speech-based interaction. Specifying interaction using flowcharts, wireframes and prototypes. Taxonomy of errors and common approaches for avoiding them. Practices for minimizing effects of multi-tasking and cognitive load. Analysis methods, such as application of the GOMS keystroke-level model, for informing design. Student projects include the design and analysis of interactive user interfaces for diverse contexts and uses.

Course Goals

By the end of the quarter, students will be able to:

  • Design diverse interactive interfaces with consideration of frequency of use, usability objectives, technological constraints and business needs.
  • Apply analysis frameworks, such as the GOMS kestroke model and the cognitive walkthrough.
  • Identify common interaction errors (e.g. post-completion errors) and provide design remedies for them.
  • Draw upon findings from user research to improve the user experience.



Texts

Microinteractions, by Dan Saffer, O'Reilly Media
The UX Book (chapter on Norman's Interaction Model), by Hartson and Pyla, Morgan Kaufman


Grading

20% (10% each) Assignments (2)
10% Preliminary project
20% Final project
10% Quiz
20% Exam
20% Course Participation

All grades will be assigned a letter grade with a corresponding point value (A = 10, A- = 9, B+ = 8). The final grade will be calculated with a weighted average and assigned the closest corresponding letter grade.

The exam, scheduled for the ninth week, is a proctored, comprehensive exam covering theories and principles. The quiz provides a non-proctored means for learning about course expectations and practice answering questions.

Students are expected to share and discuss their assignments and projects with the rest of the class. The assignments are completed individually. The projects are completed in teams of three, four or five.

Team presentations occur in the last two weeks of class. All students should contribute to the presentation, although all members do not need to be physically present for the presentation. At the end of the quarter every student is expected to submit a completed evaluation form for each group member.

Students are expected to attend or view every class and participate in weekly exercises. The score for individual contribution to class and team projects is based on contributions to class activities, documented contributions in team reports, observed team activities (in class, email or group message boards) and team member reports at the end of the quarter. Students who make solid contributions to their team projects and regularly participate in class (i.e. weekly contribution) receive at least an A-. Weekly contribution includes attendance for on-campus students and online posts for online students and those who need to miss a class. Exceptional contributions may receive an A or A+.

All group members are jointly responsible for the entire assignment, although the group may assign primary roles to each group member. Generally, each group member will receive the same score on each project. However, in some cases, additional credit may go to those who make an exceptional contribution to a project and reduced credit to those who contribute little to a project. Any adjustment will be based on a variety of indications including group participation in class, contribution summaries in reports, and student feedback at the end of the quarter.

All submitted work (e.g. project reports, peer reviews, online discussions) must be original work unless its source is clearly referenced. Failure to clearly attribute quotes or designs from other people's work constitutes plagiarism. Violations will generally receive no credit for a given submission.



Prerequisites

IT 411, HCI 430, HCI 440, HCI 450


Course Policies

Tests can be made up with a serious documented excuse (e.g. illness, death in the family) and must be arranged as soon as possible. Arrangements involving other excuses require prior permission from the instructor.

Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late, with a 1 point penalty (one reduction in grade). Assignments submitted more than 3 days after the due date will not be accepted without an excused absence cleared by the dean of students office (see forms for submitting an excused absence).

Additional assignments for extra credit will not be offered.

All grade challenges must be submitted in writing and include an explanation why the given score or grade should be reconsidered.



Tentative Schedule

Week Topic Reading Assignment
Apr 2 Course overview, UxD Process, Space of Interaction Design Course notes and TBD
Apr 9 Interaction Design: Dimensions and Examples Course notes and TBD Assignment 1
Apr 16 Interaction theory: Saffer and Norman Saffer ch. 1, UX book ch. 21 (Norman's Stages-of-Action Model of Interaction)
Apr 23 Controls and Rules Saffer ch. 2, 3 Assignment 2
Apr 30 Feedback Saffer ch. 4 Online Quiz
May 7 Automated interaction, End-user programming Saffer ch. 5 Preliminary Project
May 14 Additional Theories, Predictive models Course notes and GOMS materials
May 21 Space of Interaction Theories, expanding GOMS
May 28 Exam and project work Course notes Exam on theories and principles
Jun 4 Preliminary Reports TBD Progress Reports
Jun 11 Final Project


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