Evaluating the User Experience (INFO90004)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery
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User Experience (UX) means the way we respond to technology, including our practical, intellectual, emotional and affective responses. UX is widely recognised as a major determinant of successful technology outcomes, and it provides the design inspiration behind some of the most successful innovations in digital technologies that define the present era. This subject concerns the methods and techniques that are used to identify what characterises UX and how you can recognise, measure and evaluate it in a variety of contexts. This entails a deep understanding of the psychological and social theories underlying UX, combined with practical knowledge of the various industry methods and tools currently in use. In terms of practice, an emphasis is placed on learning the skills needed to design, justify and conduct appropriate evaluations, and the interpretation of findings. In terms of theory, special emphasis is placed on how to identify and evaluate the various facets of UX, across a range of social and work-based settings, and across a range of technologies.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Choose appropriate technology evaluation methods for a given problem, and critique this choice in terms of the advantages and disadvantages
  • Understand the different types of data for UX evaluation and how to interpret them, including field observations, interviews, automated use-logs, measurements of errors and efficacy
  • Apply knowledge of the contemporary tools and environments (including those of the industry-standard usability-testing laboratory) for the purpose of evaluating interactive systems
  • Analyse and interpret evaluation data to inform further design and development

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
COMP90041 Programming and Software Development
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
ISYS90026 Concepts in Information Systems
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Online)
 12.5

OR

Admission into or selection of one of the following:

  • MC-CS Master of Computer Science
  • MC-SOFTENG Master of Software Engineering

OR

Admission into one of the following: 100pt Program course entry point in the MC-IT Master of Information Technology, 150pt Program course entry point in the MC-IT Master of Information Technology

AND

Selection of the Human-Computer Interaction specialisation (formal) in the MC-IT Master of Information Technology

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Students are expected to have basic proficiency in computing, and familiarity with interactive technologies.

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: 31 January 2024

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Assignment 1 – Expert Review/Critique - Involves three parts (a) Heuristic evaluation (500-1000 words, due in week 3; (b) Cognitive walkthrough of a given interactive technology (3 tasks, 300 words each), due in week 5 (c) Critical reflection on the benefits and limitations of each technique (500 words), due in week 5. Templates will be provided for this assignment. Requires total of approximately 20 hours of work. Due in week 3 and week 5. Addressing Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO's) 2, 3 and 4.

  • 20 hours (of work required)
From Week 3 to Week 520%

Assignment 2 - Group Assessment/Project - Evaluation Report:  Group project (3-4 students) to plan an evaluation, then collect and analyse data to evaluate the usability of a given interactive technology. Students are to submit a test plan in week 6, then present their evaluation methods and findings in a structured written report (4000 words) and a 5-minute video presentation in Week 12, requiring approximately 50 hours of work per student. Addressing ILO's 1, 2, 3 and 4.

  • 50 hours (of work required)
Second half of the teaching period40%

Assignment 3 - Take-home Exam: Individual assignment (2000 words) responding to supplied questions, requiring approximately 30 hours of work. Students will be expected to apply, review and contrast benefits/limitations of different (specified) evaluation methods. Questions will be supplied to students in class during week 12. Due first week of examination period. Addressing ILO's 1, 2 and 4.

  • 30 hours (of work required)
Hurdle requirement: To pass the subject, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available in the take-home exam.		Week 1440%

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorMelissa Rogerson
    Mode of deliveryDual-Delivery (Parkville)
    Contact hoursOne 2-hour lectures per week and one 1-hour tutorial per week
    Total time commitment200 hours
    Teaching period27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023
    Last self-enrol date10 March 2023
    Census date31 March 2023
    Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023
    Assessment period ends23 June 2023

    Semester 1 contact information

    Melissa Rogerson

    melissa.rogerson@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

200 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 31 January 2024