HCI 440 Introduction to User-Centered Design
Summary
Students learn and practice user-centered design (UCD) towards the development of an interactive computer system. To practice UCD, students learn to apply each of its components, which include user and task analysis, conceptual design, detailed design and evaluation. This course introduces the basics of these practices and sets the context for further studying them in the program's core courses.
Course Goals
By the end of the quarter, students will be able to:
- Describe each of the phases in the UCD process
- Practice at least one method for each of the UCD phases
- Identify goals and problems that each of the UCD phases address
- Articulate principles of UCD and how UCD phases implement them
Texts
The UX Book
1st Edition (2012) or 2nd Edition (2018)
Authors: Rex Hartson Pardha Pyla
Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann
Grading
| 10% |
1 Individual Project |
| 40% |
4 Team Projects (10% each) |
| 10% |
Quizzes (5% each) |
| 25% |
Summary Report (Individual submission) |
| 15% |
Individual Contribution |
Assignments and projects will be generally graded on a 10-point scale (10 points signifying an A, 9 points signifying an A-, 8 points a B, 7 points a C, etc). Students receiving more than 95% of possible points are guaranteed at least an A, more than 90% at least an A-, more than 80% at least a B-, more than 70% at least a C-, and more than 60% at least a D.
The summary report is an individual submission due during finals week. It includes original insights, reflections or experiences for each of the phases in the user-centered design process. It takes the place of a final exam.
The score for individual contribution to class and team projects is based on contributions to class activities, documented contributions in team reports, observed team activities (in class, email or group message boards) and team member reports at the end of the quarter. Students who make solid contributions to their team projects and regularly participate in class (i.e. weekly contribution) receive at least an A- (9 points of 10 points) of the contribution points. Weekly contribution includes zoom attendance and online posts. Exceptional contributions may receive an A or an A+. Supplemental contribution points can be earned by participating in the CDM subject pool (0.5 additional point for each whole credit of participation, up to 1 additional point).
Team presentations occur in the last week of class. All students should contribute to the presentation, although all members do not need to be physically present for the presentation. At the end of the quarter every student is expected to submit a completed evaluation form for each group member.
Team projects will generally be completed in groups of three, four or five. To form groups, students review student-submitted proposals and submit preferences to work on them. Groups will then be formed based on the preferences.
For team projects, all team members are expected to contribute to the project's activities and final report. Project grading will comprise of two equally weighted scores: a joint overall score (out of 10) and an individual contribution score (out of 10), based on the documentation in the team report (typically in the appendix).
Prerequisites
Course Policies
Students are expected to attend every class or watch the aynchronous recording.
Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late, with a 1 point penalty. Assignments submitted more than 3 days after the due date will not be accepted without an excused absence cleared by the dean of students office.
Additional assignments for extra credit will not be offered.
All grade challenges must be submitted in writing and include an explanation why the given score or grade should be reconsidered.
Tentative Schedule
| Week |
Topic |
Reading |
Assignment |
| Jan 4 |
Course overview, goals of HCI, UCD vs UXD |
UX Book Ch. 1, 2 (Part 1, 2nd edition) |
|
| Jan 11 |
Discovery methods, user and task analysis |
Ch. 3, 4, 7.5 (ch. 7, 8, 9, 2nd edition) |
Individual Assignment |
| Jan 18 |
Informing Design |
Ch. 5, 6, 7.5 (ch. 10, 11, 2nd edition) |
|
| Jan 25 |
Conceptual Design, information architecture |
Ch. 7-8 (Part 3, 2nd edition), course notes |
Team Project 1 |
| Feb 1 |
Detailed design |
Ch. 9 (ch. 17, 18, 2nd edition) |
Quiz 1 |
| Feb 8 |
Theoretical foundations |
Course notes, ch. 20-21 (Part 7, 2nd edition) |
Team Project 2 |
| Feb 15 |
Prototyping |
Ch. 11 (ch. 20, 2nd edition) |
|
| Feb 22 |
Evaluation |
Ch. 12, 13 (Part 5, 2nd edition) |
Team Project 3 |
| Mar 1 |
Advanced topics |
TBD |
Quiz 2 |
| Mar 8 |
Project presentations, review |
Course notes and presentations |
Team Project 4 |
| Mar 15 |
|
|
Summary Report |
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296