Interaction Design and Usability (ISYS90085)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
Typically, 40% of IS development costs can be attributed to user interface development. Unusable systems may necessitate longer training courses, incur higher operational costs, are ineffective in supporting business processes, are error prone and even dangerous. This subject presents students with the theory, methodology and technology relevant to the development of innovative and usable interactive information systems.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Aspects of the following topics will be considered:
- Theoretical foundations (theories of human-computer interaction, user characteristics, and user experience)
- User interfaces (e.g., mobile, web, and wearable interfaces)
- Usability and user experience (user-centred design; user needs analysis; participatory design and usability evaluation)
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)
Having completed this unit the student is expected to:
- Have knowledge of the technical, cognitive, and social factors that can make interactive software effective
- Understand the methods, benefits, and limitations of a range of user-centred design approaches
- Be able to apply an evidence-based approach to identify user needs and specify requirements for new interactive systems.
- Know how to use established techniques to plan, construct and evaluate paper and digital prototypes.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have the following skills:
- Analytical and interpretative skills, from critically engaging with the core concepts and approaches in human-computer interaction and user-centred design
- High-level design skills, through proposing new uses of technology to support users
- Team-work, through working on a group project
- Report-writing skills
- Presentation skills
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ISYS90026 | Fundamentals of Information Systems |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
OR
Permission from the subject coordinator.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
SINF90002
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Critical Review - Individual students write and present a critique (1000 words) of an interaction design method or artefact. The critical review is due between weeks 3 and 11, worth 10%. Approximately 13 – 15 hours of work is required. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 and 2 are addressed in the critical review.
- Assignment 1 – In small groups (3-4 students), students conduct a user needs analysis of a particular situation of use, design a paper prototype and conduct an evaluation of the prototype. The assignment consists of a written report (2500-3000 words) and a presentation (10 minutes), due in week 7, worth 25%. Assignment 1 requires approximately 40 - 45 hours of work per student. ILOs 3 and 4 are addressed in this assignment.
- Assignment 2- In small groups (3-4 students) students create a digital prototype (based on the findings of assignment 1) and conduct a user-based evaluation of the prototype. Groups must report on the evaluation via a written report (2500-3000 words) and a presentation (10 minutes), due in week 12, worth 25%. Assignment 2 requires approximately 40 - 45 hours of work per student. ILOs 3 and 4 are addressed in this assignment. Assignment 2 is a hurdle and must be passed to pass the subject.
- Examination - One written open book take-home end of semester examination (40%). ILOs 1 and 2 are addressed in the examination.
Hurdle Requirement:
- The examination is a hurdle and must be passed to pass the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Jenny Waycott Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours, comprising of one 3 hour lecture per week Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Dr Jenny Waycott
Email: jwaycott@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
200 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject is delivered in 3-hour classes, with each class containing: lectures on theoretical concepts, class discussions, and tutorial work. Outside class students will study theory and cases through reading and continuing their group activities.INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
There is no prescribed text for this subject, but the content is drawn from some key resources, including: Preece, J., Rogers, Y., & Sharp, H. (2015). Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction. A list of articles will be provided on the LMS and the lecture slides will include references to key resources. Materials from real-world cases are provided in class.CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
This subject is relevant to careers as a usability engineer, user experience designer, interaction designer, information architect etc. Students will work on real-world user interface design cases. There will be one or two lectures from invited practitioners from industry. - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Science (Information Systems) Course Master of Information Systems Course Master of Information Systems Course Master of Information Systems Course Ph.D.- Engineering Major MIT Spatial Specialisation Major MIS Professional Specialisation Major MIS Research Specialisation Specialisation (formal) Spatial Major MIS Health Specialisation
Last updated: 3 November 2022