Fall 2006: Course Description for Human
Computer Interaction (SYST 469‑01)
Instructor: Bill
Killam, MA CHFP
Office: Off Campus; Phone # 703-729-0998;
e‑mail: bkillam@user-centereddesign.com
Office Hours: By Appointment
Texts:
Preece,
Prerequisite: IT/STAT
250, IT 108
The purpose of this
course is to help students understand the principles of human-computer
interaction and the techniques in optimizing that interaction. . Our
goal is improved system interaction by understanding the limits and
capabilities of human that affect their ability to interact with computers and
computer-based systems. It covers the
basic principles of human-computer interaction including information
processing, cognitive models, and ergonomics.
We will discuss design models for ensuring the effectiveness,
efficiency, and satisfaction of systems.
We will also discuss tests for assessing the human-computer interface as
part of research and during system development.
There is a mid‑term
exam, a final exam, and a student project. I use the full grading scale,
including pluses and minuses. Each of the two exams is worth 35% of your grade;
the student project is worth 30%. The exams will be based on questions based on
each lecture which we will outline after each class. The questions will cover
material presented in the texts and class. I expect students to read the
material for each week’s class before the class so that they can answer
questions about it. The exams are
closed-book and closed-notes. There will be a review session prior to each
test. Please use the review period to
make sure you know the answers to questions that might be on the exams. Laptops can not be used to take the exams.
The purpose of the
student project is to give students an opportunity to apply what they have
learned in class to a real world problem. Student will select from either a
design project or a design evaluation project.
Feel free to use material from work and/or other classes. Just make sure
that I can clearly see how you are effectively applying what you have learned
in this class to your selected problem. The result of the project will be a
15-minute presentation (with viewgraphs) on the last two days of class.
Week 1 (8/30) Introduction (Preece, Chaps. 1 & 5)
Week 2 (9/6) Understanding Users I (Preece, Chapter
2)
Week 3 (9/13) Understanding
Users II
Week 4 (9/20) Setting Your Design Goals (Preece, Chap. 7)
Week 5 (9/27) Design
Methods (Preece, Chaps. 6 & 9)
and Review for
Midterm Exam
Week 6 (10/4) Midterm Exam
Week 7 (10/11) Review Midterm and Task Analysis and Use
Models I
Week 8 (10/18) Task Analysis and Use Models II
Week 9 (10/25) From Conceptual Design to Operational
Prototype (Preece, Chap. 8)
Week 10 (11/1) HCI Evaluation Methods (Preece, Chap. 10)
Week 11 (11/8) Design Analysis
and Testing I (Preece, Chaps. 11 & 12)
Week 12 (11/15) Design Analysis and Testing II (Preece,
Chaps. 13 & 14)
Week 13 (11/22) No Class – Thanksgiving Day Recess
Week 14 (11/29) Student Presentations
Week 15 (12/6) Student Presentations & Review for
Final Exam
Week 16 (12/13) Final Exam (only on material after the midterm exam)