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Unit outline_

INFO3315: Human-Computer Interaction

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This is a first subject in HCI, Human Computer Interaction. It is designed for students who want to be involved in one of the many roles required to create future technology. There are three main parts: the human foundations from psyschology and physiology; HCI methods for design and evaluation of interfaces; leading edge directions for technologies. This subject is highly multi-disciplinary. At the core, it is a mix of Computer Science Software Engineering combined with the design discipline, UX - User Experience. It draws on psychology, both for relevant theories and user study methods. The practical work is human-centred with project work that motivates the formal curriculum. This year the projects will be in area of health and wellness.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sue Chng, sue.chng@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task group assignment Meeting Minutes
Weekly submission on Thursday starting Week 3.
0% - max 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO8
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam hurdle task (Open Book) Essay
Covers theory and a design situation.
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Tutorial quiz Weekly Quizzes
Canvas Quiz.
5% Multiple weeks 10-20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Reflective Summary 1
Reflective Essay
5% Week 03 400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment group assignment Project Part 1
Requirements report. Concept video of solution.
13% Week 07 Report:4000 words. Video: Max 5 mins.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO2
Assignment Reflective Summary 2
Reflective Essay
5% Week 07 400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment group assignment Project Part 2
Final Report and Demonstration. Journey Video.
17% Week 11 Report: 4000 words. Video:10 mins.
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO6 LO3
Assignment Reflective Summary 3
Reflective essay
5% Week 11 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Weekly Quizzes: Canvas quiz to test understanding of contents for each week. Questions are MCQs and can be attempted multiple times before the last day of Week 12 (22nd November 2020, 11.59pm)
  • Reflective summary: A diagram summarizing theoretical concepts and techniques. A concise description explaining how you use these in your own practice. Description must be supported by evidence of work. 
  • Group Project: Students work in groups of 5 students per group to design the interface for a problem. Each student will be required to review their own performance and that of each team members using SPARKPLUS. Individual marks for group assessments will be  determined using these reviews and Meeting Minutes. 
  • Meeting Minutes: Records of the group’s weekly discussion. It should include work presented by each member during the meeting. Performance ratings (individual and peer) stated in SparkPlus must be supported by records during the meeting. Each student must contribute and participate in the group project in order to pass the unit. 
  • Final exam: The final exam will assess all contents covered in the semester. Students must score at least 40% in the final exam to pass the unit (see Pass requirements) 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For detailed description of grading criteria used for submitted work (Reflective Summary and Project), refer to rubrics on Canvas.

Weekly quizzes are automatically graded by Canvas. 

It is a policy of the School of Computer Science that in order to pass this unit, a student must achieve at least 40% in the written examination. For subjects without a final exam, the 40% minimum requirement applies to the corresponding major assessment component specified by the lecturer. A student must also achieve an overall final mark of 50 or more. Any student not meeting these requirements may be given a maximum final mark of no more than 45 regardless of their average.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Online Zoom briefing: 1. Introduction to HCI; 2. Importance of Interface Design; 3. Design Goals and Rules. Online Zoom Q&A. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO4
1. Research in CHI; 2. Design Principles in Practice. Workshop (2 hr) LO4
1. Review of learning resources for Week 1; 2. Preparation for Zoom sessions; 3. Complete Worksheet 1. Independent study (6 hr) LO4
Week 02 Online Zoom briefing: 1. Human Perception and Cognition; 2. Cognitive Frameworks; 3. Emotion and Motivation. Online Zoom Q&A Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO4
1. Perceiving structure; 2. Designing motivation. Workshop (2 hr) LO4
1. Review of learning resources for Week 2; 2. Preparation for Zoom sessions; 3. Complete Worksheet 2. Independent study (6 hr) LO4
Week 03 Online Zoom briefing: 1. Individual Differences; 2. Interaction Design in Practice; 3. Group Project. Online Zoom Q&A Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO8
1. Requirements, expectations and reality; 2. My way of designing. Workshop (2 hr) LO8
1. Review of learning resources for Week 3; 2. Preparation for Zoom sessions; 3. Complete Worksheet 3; 4. Work on Project - Task 1. Independent study (8 hr) LO8
Week 04 Online Zoom briefing: 1. Types of requirements; 2. Data gathering techniques. Online Zoom Q&A Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
1. Analyze a problem; 2. Identify suitable data gathering techniques. Workshop (2 hr) LO1
1. Review of learning resources for Week 4; 2. Preparation for Zoom sessions; 3. Complete Worksheet 4; 4. Work on Project - Task 2&3. Independent study (8 hr) LO1
Week 05 Online Zoom briefing: 1. Data analysis, interpretation and presentation; 2. Bringing requirements to life. Online Zoom Q&A Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO8
1. Basic quantitative and qualitative data analysis; 2. Persona, scenarios and use-cases. Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO8
1. Review of learning resources for Week 5; 2. Preparation for Zoom sessions; 3. Complete Worksheet 5; 4. Work on Project - Task 3&4. Independent study (8 hr) LO1 LO8
Week 06 Online Zoom briefing: 1. Conceptual Design; 2. Low-fidelity Prototypes; 3. Video Prototype. Online Zoom Q&A Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO5 LO8
1. Storyboard; 2. Paper Prototypes. Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO5 LO8
1. Review of learning resources for Week 6; 2. Preparation for Zoom sessions; 3. Complete Worksheet 6; 4. Work on Project - Task 5. Independent study (8 hr) LO2 LO5 LO8
Week 07 Online Zoom briefing: 1. Hi-fidelity prototyping; 2. Physical prototypes. Online Zoom Q&A Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO5 LO8
1. Balsamiq basics; 2. Paper prototype presentation. Workshop (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO8
1. Review of learning resources for Week 7 ; 2. Preparation for Zoom sessions ; 3. Complete Worksheet 7 ; 4. Work on Project - Task 6. Independent study (8 hr) LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 08 Online Zoom briefing: 1. Evaluation basics; 2. Planning evaluation. Online Zoom Q&A Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO8
1. Usability Test; 2. Prototype presentation. Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO8
1. Review of learning resources for Week 8; 2. Preparation for Zoom sessions; 3. Complete Worksheet 8; 4. Work on Project - Task 6. Independent study (8 hr) LO3 LO5 LO8
Week 09 Online Zoom briefing: 1. Experiment Design. 2. How to measure?. Online Zoom Q&A. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO8
1. Field study. 2. Prototype presentation. Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO8
1. Review of learning resources for Week 9. 2. Preparation for Zoom sessions. 3. Work on Project - Task 7. Independent study (8 hr) LO3 LO5 LO8
Week 10 Online Zoom briefing: 1. Evolution of Interfaces. 2. Social Interfaces. 3. Computer-supported Cooperative Work (CSCW). Online Zoom Q&A. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO7
1. Research in CSCW and Ubicomp. 2. AR/VR trend or future?. Workshop (2 hr) LO7
1. Review of learning resources for Week 10. 2. Preparation for Zoom sessions. 3. Complete Worksheet 9. 4. Work on Project - submission. Independent study (8 hr) LO7 LO8
Week 11 Project Demonstration. Workshop (2 hr) LO8
Week 12 Online Zoom briefing: 1. Syllabus summary. 2. Revision - final exam. Online Zoom Q&A. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Each week, students must:

  • Do own independent study by reviewing provided materials, read the required sections of literature, researching and completing Worksheets
  • Be prepared (completed task/research/background reading) for all online face-to-face sessions inclusive of group meetings for Project.
  • Attend and participate in all online face-to-face sessions (as timetabled).

Workshop and Q&A sessions will NOT be recorded. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. select suitable techniques for establishing user groups and their requirements for an interface, including the usability requirements, and be able to make use of these techniques
  • LO2. apply standard design approaches to creating a user interface
  • LO3. evaluate interfaces, based upon both discount and user-based techniques, and be able to select the most appropriate technique for a particular situation and to justify this
  • LO4. explain how human factors influence aspects of design of interfaces
  • LO5. demonstrate knowledge of the main methods of interface design and evaluation and the relative strengths and weaknesses of each and their most appropriate uses
  • LO6. use a prototyping tool to create low fidelity prototypes
  • LO7. demonstrate knowledge of the broad range of interfaces, such as social, NUI, emotion-aware interfaces, ubiquitous devices that are carried, work or embedded in the environment
  • LO8. present the design and evaluation of a prototype interface, defining the requirements, describing the design processes and evaluation and use the evidence gathered in established methods to draw conclusions about it's strengths, and weaknesses of the interface.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No major changes have been made since the unit was last offered.

IMPORTANT: School policy relating to Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

In assessing a piece of submitted work, the School of Computer Science may reproduce it entirely, may provide a copy to another member of faculty, and/or to an external plagiarism checking service or in-house computer program and may also maintain a copy of the assignment for future checking purposes and/or allow an external service to do so.

All written assignments submitted in this unit of study will be submitted to the similarity detecting software program known as Turnitin. Turnitin searches for matches between text in your written assessment task and text sourced from the Internet, published works and assignments that have previously been submitted to Turnitin for analysis.

There will always be some degree of text-matching when using Turnitin. Text-matching may occur in use of direct quotations, technical terms and phrases, or the listing of bibliographic material. This does not mean you will automatically be accused of academic dishonesty or plagiarism, although Turnitin reports may be used as evidence in academic dishonesty and plagiarism decision-making processes.

 

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.