SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTER, AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES FACULTY OF DESIGN AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES MASTER OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES Semester 1, 2017 Human Computer Interaction COMP822 1 PAPER INFORMATION ___________________________________________________________ 2 1.1 Aim (Prescriptor) __________________________________________________________________ 2 1.2 Content __________________________________________________________________________ 2 1.3 Learning Outcomes ________________________________________________________________ 2 1.4 Learning and Teaching Strategies ____________________________________________________ 3 1.5 Duration & Student Workload _______________________________________________________ 3 1.6 Teaching Team ____________________________________________________________________ 3 1.7 Class Times and Places _____________________________________________________________ 4 2 OVERVIEW OF THE SEMESTER ___________________________________________________ 4 2.1 Course Calendar ___________________________________________________________________ 5 3 ASSESSMENT ____________________________________________________________________ 5 3.1 Assessment Items Summary _________________________________________________________ 5 SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTER, AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES FACULTY OF DESIGN AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES MASTER OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES 1 PAPER INFORMATION Paper Title: Human Computer Interaction Paper Code: COMP822 Prerequisites: None Co-‐‑requisites: Research Methods 1 Level: 8 Points: 15 1.1 Aim (Prescriptor) Critically analyse existing Human Computer Interaction methods and metaphors in the context of emerging practice and research in the area. Students will conduct a small research or design project in their chosen interaction domain, and be able to show how this will improve our knowledge and application of HCI. 1.2 Content The very first part of the paper will be to review general interaction design theory; • Human Perception and Cognition • Interaction Design Processes • Communication Theory • Usability Evaluation The rest of the paper will be structured to allow for a range of HCI topics / domains to be covered. The second assignment will help reinforce through practice the theory presented in the paper. 1.3 Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this paper students will be able to: • Describe the nature of Human Computer Interaction • Understand the principles of interaction metaphors and how they shape the design of HCI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTER, AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES FACULTY OF DESIGN AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES MASTER OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES • Evaluate interaction design based on appropriate methods and literature • Conduct a small usability evaluation or research study in HCI • Develop theory or artefacts that improve Human Computer Interaction 1.4 Learning and Teaching Strategies • Lectures – lecturers will introduce and emphasise key concepts for each of the topics listed in the syllabus. • Tutorials/laboratories – students will work individually and in groups to generate solutions to problems and case studies, make observations, and discuss their solutions. • Review and research – students will review and research key concepts introduced by lecturers, to broaden base knowledge • Blackboard –Blackboard ™ will be used as a support mechanism for the face-‐‑to-‐‑face teaching on this paper. Lecture content, tutorials, assessment and other reference material will be posted on Blackboard. 1.5 Duration & Student Workload Item Weeks Hours Classes 20 Independent Study 130 Total 150 Note: 150 hours of student study time is expected. 1.6 Teaching Team Lecturer Name: Dr Robert Wellington Room: MB309 Email: [email protected] Telephone: 09-‐‑921-‐‑9999 Ext. 5432 Fax: 09-‐‑921-‐‑9944 SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTER, AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES FACULTY OF DESIGN AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES MASTER OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES 1.7 Class Times and Places The timetable for this paper can be obtained from the AUT ‘Time table web viewer’. Communication via Email It is our policy that all email communication with students is conducted using their AUT email address. Please ensure that your AUT email address is regularly checked as important information might be sent to you during the semester. It is students’ responsibility to check their email box and/or arrange for forwarding AUT email correspondence to another [private] address. 2 OVERVIEW OF THE SEMESTER The course calendar below describes the topics for each week. The calendar as presented is subject to change. Notification will be given if this occurs. SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTER, AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES FACULTY OF DESIGN AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES MASTER OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES 2.1 Course Calendar NB This calendar is subject to change. Week / Session Topic Assessment 1 Introduction to HCI Hand out Assignment 1 and 2 2 Perception Vision 3 Perception Sound and Haptics 4 Cognition Memory 5 Cognition Problem Solving Assignment 2 planning Assignment 1 -‐‑ Due Assignment 2 -‐‑ proposal due 6 Interaction Models 7 Usability Testing Methods 8 HCI -‐‑ Research Methods 9 HCI – As Communication 10 HCI – Future Tech 11 Working on assignment 2 12 Working on assignment 2 Assignment 2 Due 3 ASSESSMENT 3.1 Assessment Items Summary Item Weight% Date Given Date Due LOs assessed Independent Study Hours Assessment 1 Interaction Observation and Literature research 50% Week 1 Friday Week 5 4pm 1,2,3 64 Assessment 2 Usability research and Reflective report 50% Week 1 Friday Week 12 4pm 3,4,5 64 SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTER, AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES FACULTY OF DESIGN AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES MASTER OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES 3.1.1 Assessment items Assignment 1 Interaction Observation and Literature Research You will evaluate an interaction device (this could be a device, a software application, a computerised consumer product, or an element of one of these) in a given context of use. You will firstly observe how people interact with the device by employing the observation protocol described below. Then you will research the human perception and cognition theories that are relevant in that context. You will then critique the design of the device in light of what you discover in your research of Perception and Cognition theory, and the analysis of your observations of the natural interaction of a user with the device. The report needs to be fully and properly referenced. Observation Protocol You will observe the use of an interactive artefact (it doesn’t have to be a computer based tool). To satisfy normal ethical requirements there are a few restrictions to consider in this observation exercise. It is best that you recruit two or three of your friends or relatives for you to observe using the artefact, that way it can be considered homework rather than research. Don’t involve yourself in the use of the artefact, your aim should be to try to understand the ‘natural’ interaction that occurs between the artefact and the user. Make sure that you tell your friends or relatives that you are trying to study the design of the artefact rather than their skill at using it – that will reassure them that you are not seeing how good they are, but how good the artefact is and what theory relates to their use of it. Take notes of the interaction as it occurs, this could be written notes, drawings, or a combination of both. Sometimes it pays to draw a representation of the artefact beforehand so it is easier to take notes during the observation. Pick one or two important steps or events that you noticed during the observation and write them up as the context, problems, and scope of your assignment. You will then need to research relevant theories of human perception and / or cognition to help explain aspects of what you observed. Make sure that you read and cite relevant literature about how the person is SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTER, AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES FACULTY OF DESIGN AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES MASTER OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES interacting with the device. Literature resources could include books on perception, cognitive science, biology, ergonomics, psychology, and of course text books about Human Computer Interaction etc. Also have a look for theory in research articles. Try as best you can in your analysis and writing to link the theory you discovered with your observations, and resultant critique and conclusion. Marking Criteria Context / problem / scope identification 10% Identification and brief description of relevant theories 20% Analysis of the interaction device in relation to theory 30% Critique of design 25% Conclusion and Discussion 15% SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, COMPUTER, AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES FACULTY OF DESIGN AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES MASTER OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES Assignment 2 Designing or Evaluating: Reflective Essay Students will undertake a project that either attempts to redesign an interaction device, or intensively evaluates an interaction device. Evaluation of interaction is typically called usability, and may be undertaken as part of the design process, or may be undertaken because of identified problems. Students may undertake this project in groups in order to make better use of resources. Students will propose a research study idea in class, either in groups or individually, and approval is competitive. Typically, if a research study idea is not approved, the students in this group should join a research study that is approved. Viability, feasibility, and approval will be discussed and decided in class on the day. Each student hands in a reflective essay (3000 word limit) on their participation in the project. Reflection on, and evidence of learning in: Process, related to relevant theory 40% Eg. In your study you may have used a ‘textbook’ usability process but made some modification (perhaps because of a resource or time restriction). Discuss this change in reference to the literature and the needs of the study. HCI concepts and relevant theory 40% Eg. Perhaps you studied how people interact using software that employs a ‘ribbon’ bar, and many people couldn’t use it very well. The data you collected may draw your attention to particular theory that may help explain what was happening (Gestalt, colour perception, short term memory, Fitts Law, etc.). Career or Research application and prior knowledge 20% Eg. How did this research project help you to learn Process that may be useful in your future career or research activity? How did this project relate to what you have already learned? Every major idea within the essay needs to be connected with relevant literature and be properly referenced. It is expected that students will have an appropriate list of references of between 20 and 30 publications. Notes: Make sure that you read research articles and topic relevant books before you collect data. 3. 1.2 Academic Standards and Regulations Please refer to the Post Graduate Handbook and University Regulations as they relate to undertaking this paper.