This unit provides detailed understanding of user interface design principles and practices and usability for computer-based systems. The principles, guidelines and standards for incorporating human factors in computer interface design are explored. The unit examines issues in interface design and usability from various perspectives and how to manage this during systems development. It explores contemporary issues including: background and underpinning theories, guidelines and standards, design processes and implementation in practice, user interface evaluation methods, interface styles and componential design. The application of HCI design in other environments such as virtual reality and mobile devices will be covered.
2 hrs lectures/wk, 1.5 hr laboratory/wk
This is a 6 point unit which, according to University guidelines, requires you to spend 12 hours of work per week on it (a total of at least 144 hours per semester).
The anticipated workload is:
Plus approximately:
FIT4063, IMS5302, CSE5930
Julie Fisher
Consultation hours: 3-5 Thursdays
Gour Karmakar
Stella Ouma
Ambica Dattakumar
Consultation hours: TBA
Examination (3 hours): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%
| Assessment Task | Value | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | 10% | Tutorial week 5 |
| Assignment 2 | 25% (20% written component, 5% presentation) | Written component Week 12. Presentations week 11 and 12. |
| Active participation in tutorials and contributions to the discussion forum | 15% | Ongoing throughout semester from Week 2 to Week 11. |
| Examination 1 | 50% | To be advised |
Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. The University's student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.
For more information on Monash's educational strategy, and on student evaluations, see:
http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
This unit is continuously reviewed, lecture and tutorial, material and assignments change as does the exam each semester.
As a result of previous student comments the percentage allocated to tutorial particiapation and Moodle forums has been reduced with a stronger emphasis on the last assignment.
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
Please check with your lecturer before purchasing any Required Resources. Limited copies of prescribed texts are available for you to borrow in the library, and prescribed software is available in student labs.
The prescribed text is:
Shneiderman, B and Plaisant C (2010). Designing the User Interface, 5th edition Pearson.
A reading list and other resources, for each tutorial will be available weekly on Moodle. All reading material will be available from the library in PDF format. Any other material will be provided online.
| Week | Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Register for tutorials, log into Moodle and download reading guide for Week 1 | |
| 1 | Introduction and overview (No tutorial this week only a lecture) | |
| 2 | Theories, principles standards and guidelines | Assessment task 3: Active participation in tutorials and contributions to the discussion forum. This assessment is ongoing throughout semester from Week 2 to Week 11. Off campus students will be guided on how tutes will be assessed. |
| 3 | Interface design background | |
| 4 | Menus, forms and icons | |
| 5 | User Interaction | Assessment Task 1: Assignment 1 conducted and submitted in your tutorial session. Off campus students will be sent the assignment and will be required to return it within a specified time frame |
| 6 | Designing user information | |
| 7 | Evaluation and usability testing | |
| 8 | The web and other interfaces (what is different?) | |
| 9 | Data gathering, task analysis and prototyping | |
| 10 | Accessibility - This lecture date may change depending on availability of the guest speaker | |
| 11 | Development through a User Centred Design approach | Assessment task 2: Presentations of Assignment 2 during tutorial. Off campus students will be asked to submit their presentations |
| 12 | Guest speaker, again may change depending on availability | Assessment task 2: Written component of Assignment 2 and Presentations of Assignment 2 during tutorial session |
| SWOT VAC | No formal assessment is undertaken SWOT VAC | |
| Examination period | LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/ academic/education/assessment/ assessment-in-coursework-policy.html |
*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your MUSO (Blackboard or Moodle) learning system.
Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/unit-assessment-hurdles.html)
Academic Integrity - Please see the Demystifying Citing and Referencing tutorial at http://lib.monash.edu/tutorials/citing/
During the semester you will be assessed on work in, and preparation for, tutorials (7%), in particular the specifically assigned reading for each week and comments posted to the discussion forum (8%). The assessment of this component will be dependent on the quality of your answers based on the readings. A number of exercises may be set and students will be expected to complete those exercises either during the tutorial, or in preparation for the tutorial, and to actively participate in tutorial classes. Assessment will occur in ALL tutorials thoughout the semester. The quality and number of postings on the discussion forum in Moodle will be assessed. Your peers will also contribute to your final assessment for participation. Arrangements will be made for off campus students.
This assessment will consitute 15% of your marks. No marks are awarded for simply attending tutorials.
Quality of the answers and the justification provided for the answers.
All students in the group will be given the same mark unless an adjustment is made by the lecturer based on feedback from the group.
The written component will be assessed on the design and conduct of an evaluation of a selected website and background information, the analysis of that evaluation and written report on the outcome of the evaluation. Students are also required to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and background literature on evaluation techniques.
The presentation will be assessed on the quality of the presentation and the delivery, the content selected for the presentation and its relevance.
Quality of answers / responses.
Demonstrate an understanding of the reading material provided.
No marks are awarded for simply attending tutorials.
It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an online quiz).
Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.
You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.
Students should be aware of and adhere to the guidelines for referencing assignment work, Harvard style is the required format for referencing. This will be discussed in class early in the semester. Please also refer to the guidelines provided by the library.
Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University's academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them.
You can find Monash's Education Policies at:
http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Key educational policies include:
The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at www.monash.edu.au/students. For Sunway see http://www.monash.edu.my/Student-services, and for South Africa see http://www.monash.ac.za/current/
The Monash University Library provides a range of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. At Sunway, visit the Library and Learning Commons at http://www.lib.monash.edu.my/. At South Africa visit http://www.lib.monash.ac.za/.
Academic support services may be available for students who have a disability or medical condition. Registration with the Disability Liaison Unit is required. Further information is available as follows: