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Human-Computer Interaction 1: Introduction to User Centred Design - COM00018C

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  • Department: Computer Science
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Burak Merdenyan
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

Introduction to User Centred Design offers you something completely different. Other modules focus on understanding computers and how they work. For example:

•Understanding architectures

•Designing algorithms

•Software design to optimise the computer’s performance

HCI1 is about understanding the relationship between computer systems and people, and what can go wrong with this. We will explore the nature of and barriers to people's interactions with computers and how systems can be designed to optimise and facilitate these interactions. We will also consider how to evaluate the people's experience - what makes a good, enjoyable human-computer interaction.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

Students taking this module will be familiarised with how to design user-centred systems that meet the needs and preferences of diverse users. Students will be introduced to the notion of engineering lifecycles, and in particular building requirements from user needs, iterative prototyping and evaluation of interactive systems. Students will undertake group work in practicals, giving them opportunities to develop communication and conflict resolution skills.The closed assessment will evaluate knowledge of the user-centered design process and interaction design principles, whilst requiring them to reflect on group activities.

Module learning outcomes

  1. Apply a structured user-centred design process and appropriate, rigorous methodologies to design and evaluate an interactive prototype system to address user needs.
  2. Explain how different interaction design concepts and principles have been deployed within the
    development process.
  3. Justify the methods used and design decisions made on the basis of ethical considerations.
  4. Explain how user diversity - in terms of age, disability or other individual differences - can impact on the
    inclusiveness of a system.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of different user experience frameworks and how they can be
    applied.
  6. Identify personal strengths and put them into practice in a group task, understanding how to leverage a group's strengths to best affect a project outcome.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Groupwork
HCI1 Group Open Assessment		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Please note that the reassessment is by an individual open assessment which requires students to understand and implement the processes and techniques discussed during the module.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
HCI1 Individual Reassessment		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Feedback is provided through work in practical sessions, formative assessments, and after the final assessment as per normal University guidelines.

Indicative reading

*** Preece, J., Rogers, Y., Sharp, H., Interaction Design, 4th edn Wiley, 2015

*** Cooper, A., Reimann., R., Cronin., D., Noessel., C. About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design. 4th edn Wiley, 2014.

* Mackenzie, I.S. Human-Computer Interaction. Elsevier Inc., 2013.

* Norman, D. The Design of Everyday Things. Any edition.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.