Human-computer Interaction Hci
Introduction
Assessment of the Advanced Human-Computer Interaction module is based on individual coursework, by written report, testing both the knowledge and understanding of course topics and the application of these topics to an HCI/usability problem. The report will be based on an individual project carried out by the student over the course of the module.
Selection of Projects
Students will be encouraged to undertake HCI/usability projects of their own choice, on topics of interest or relevance to themselves. The selection of individual projects will take place during the early part of the module, in discussion with the module teaching team.
The main criterion to be used in judging the suitability of a proposal will be the extent to which it allows scope for the student to demonstrate the achievement of the module learning outcomes (see extract from module guide below for details on these). Although individual projects will vary in the extent to which they cover the full range of outcomes, all projects will be expected to address all outcomes to some extent.
Extract from Module Guide – Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course the student will be able to :
i) Recognise the need for a usability perspective within organisations and identify opportunities for improvements
ii) Analyse users, tasks and usability requirements by semi-formal methods providing the necessary models for interface design.
iii) Apply user-centred methods, guidelines and models to user interface design, providing an explicit rationale for design choices.
iv) Carry out literature research into aspects of HCI and usability.
v) Describe different interface technologies and media and compare their suitability for use in interface designs.
vi) Carry out empirical studies of HCI, including the evaluation of usability in particular user and task contexts.
Individual students may apply their own additional criteria when considering possible projects. For example :
- a student may have a particular interest in an area of HCI (e.g. web page design, usability issues for special needs, voice interfaces), and may choose a project in that area
- a student may be aware of particular gaps in their HCI knowledge, and may choose a project allowing these areas to be studied in depth
- a student may have career objectives in mind, and may wish to do individual HCI/usability work which would be of use in that respect
The process of identifying possible projects and making the final choice is a significant part of the learning process. By carrying out this project selection, students will learn a great deal about the nature of HCI and usability, the characteristics of HCI projects, and the issues involved in identifying and evaluating such projects.
2. AHCI Final Report (75 marks)
The final report must :
- restate the problem being worked on, explaining any changes in scope since Part One
- review published HCI literature relevant to the problem
- explain the analysis and the proposed solution design
- evaluate the proposed solution
- give a review and conclusions on the project
Final Report Marking Scheme
Problem Restatement No marks
Literature Review 25
Analysis and Design of Solution 35
Evaluation of Solution 30
Conclusions and Discussion 10
Total 100
(scaled to 75 marks towards final module grade)
3. Possible Additional Deliverables
In addition to the above required deliverables, students may also choose to submit a working prototype of their design and to carry out a prototype demonstration to the module teaching team. Not all projects will necessarily involve prototype construction, while for others printouts of screens and diagrams describing the prototype may be sufficient.
AHCI Report Part One
Structure and Marking Scheme
Length Limit : Seven pages (including all tables and diagrams)
Project Title
Give your report a unique, individual title, which summarises what it is about.
Don’t just call it “AHCI Report”.
On the title page, list the names of the lecturer(s) you have discussed the idea with.
Outline of the Intended Project (about 2-3 pages) 20 marks
Write a summary outlining what you intend to do and what you hope to achieve.
Describe the users and what they do.
Summarise the main usability issues that are critical to this project.
Explain the stages of the project and the methods you intend to use.
List and explain at least one and no more than three deliverables which will be produced.
Initial Evaluation Report (about 4-5 pages) 80 marks
Describe the evaluation work which you have carried out so far. Describe the evaluation methods which you have used, and justify why you chose those methods.
Summarise the results from your evaluation work. Explain what you have learned about the usability issues involved in your chosen project.
Possible Appendices
The main part of the report should stay strictly within the length limit. relevant additional material can be included in an appendix.
For example :
- raw data collected during the evaluation
- sample screenshots of the system you evaluated
- transcripts of user interviews
