HCI 510:
HCI Methods I – Design and Evaluation
Spring 2008
Lecture:
M, W 4:35-6 pm in 303 Mahar
Professor:
Dr. Bernadette Sibuma (sibuma@oswego.edu ; 315/312-3487)
Office hours: T 10-11; W 2-3; Th 11-12 by appt in Room 460 Mahar
Prerequisite:
HCI 500 or permission of the instructor.
Texts:
1. Brown, D. M. (2006). Communicating design. San Francisco: New Riders Press. (required)
2. Kuniavsky, M. (2003). Observing the user experience. New York: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.
(required)
3. Dumas, J. & Redish, J.C. (1999). A practical guide to usability testing. Exeter: Intellect Ltd.
(required)
4. Krug, S. (2005). Don’t make me think (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Morgan Kauffman Publishers.
(recommended)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
HCI Methods I provides students with a grounding in the interface design and evaluation process
that is based on the abilities, limitations, and goals of the users. Through projects and other handson activities, you will be introduced to the tools, techniques, and processes underlying usable
interface design.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
 Create and maintain your own personal website.
 Document the user needs, strategy, and design plans for a project.
 Transform the design requirements into conceptual and interactive designs using software.
 Conduct a heuristic evaluation of a user interface.
 Design and conduct usability testing of an interface.
 Gather and analyze data via a usability evaluation and task analysis.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Participation:
Attendance and participation in each class is expected. During class, we will have time to discuss
and ask questions about concepts covered in the readings. In addition, you will gain hands-on
experience in the interface design process. You are allowed 1 unexcused absence for the term. If
you miss more than one class, please notify me in advance and I will give you a makeup assignment
to do.
Readings:
The readings will be from the Brown, Kuniavksy, and Dumas books, which are available at the
campus bookstore and Kraftees. Additional readings and resources may be provided in class for
your reference. If you are having any difficulty with the topics covered, please feel free to ask
questions during class, or make an appointment to see me during my office hours.
Projects & Presentations:
You will be working on two projects: an individual design project and a group evaluation project.
Specifically, for the design project, you will create your own portfolio website, which will be a
professional tool for you to share your work. Also you will be working with 2 or 3 other students to
to conduct a usability evaluation.
1) Design Project (75 points): Your design project grade will be based on your individual
interface design that is created using Dreamweaver or another web authoring program of
your choice. Ten (10) points will be based on a brief presentation that you make on your
interface. More guidelines will be mentioned in class.
2) Evaluation Project (100 points): Your evaluation project grade will be based on your
group’s conducting and documenting of a usability test. The report must be typed, doublespaced in 12 pt font, and include relevant references from the readings in proper APA
format. Points will be deducted for lack of citations and references. Ten (10) points will be
based on a brief presentation that your group will make about your evaluation findings.
More guidelines will be mentioned in class.
Homework Assignments:
An assignment will be given out nearly every week as homework and be due the following week.
These assignments must be completed and submitted online. Each homework assignment is worth
10 points. Late submissions will be penalized 1 point for each day late.
GRADING
Your final grade for the course will be based on the following criteria:
Design Project – 30 %
Evaluation Project – 35 %
Homework Assignments – 25 %
Participation – 10%
The total percentage points you accumulate will be converted to a letter grade as such: 93-100.0 [A];
90-92.99 [A-]; 87-89.99 [B+]; 83-86.99 [B]; 80-82.99 [B-]; 77-79.99 [C+]; 73-76.99 [C]; 70-72.99 [C-];
67-69.99 [D+]; 63-66.99 [D]; 60-62.99 [D-]; Below 60 [E]
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
You are expected to do your own work and give credit when needed. Plagiarism is academic
dishonesty and will not be tolerated. If you use another’s ideas or words in your work, you must cite
the original reference. Any evidence of failing to do so will result in an “E” grade for the course. If
you have questions or need clarification on how to properly cite an idea or reference, please do not
hesitate to ask me.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
Please be respectful during class by turning off your cell phone, arriving on time, and waiting your
turn to speak or ask questions.
DISABILITY SERVICES
The office of Disability Services is available to assist students who have a legally documented
disability or students who suspect that they may have a disability. If you have a disabling condition
that may interfere with your ability to successfully complete this course, please contact the office of
Disability Services. Also, please see me to let me know how we may be of assistance. Alternative
testing for students with learning disabilities is available. Phone: (315) 312-3358 email:
dss@oswego.edu web: www.oswego.edu/dis_svc visit /mail: 226 Hewitt Union, SUNY Oswego,
Oswego, NY 13126
COURSE SCHEDULE
Meeting
Date
Topic
Readings Due
1
M, 1/28
Introduction to Course; Usercentered design
2
W, 1/30
Design module overview;
Personas; Dreamweaver (DW)
Tutorial #1
3
M, 2/4
4
W, 2/6
5
M, 2/11
6
W, 2/13
Competitive Analysis; DW
Tutorial #2
Content Inventory; DW Tutorial
#3
Concept Models; DW Tutorial
#4
Site Maps & Breadcrumbs; DW
Tutorial #5
7
M, 2/18
Flow Charts; DW Tutorial #6
Brown, Ch. 8
[Krug, Ch. 6]
Brown, Ch. 9
8
W, 2/20
Project work day
Brown, Ch. 10
9
M, 2/25
Wireframes & Screen Designs
[Krug, Ch. 1-3]
Dumas, Ch. 1 & 4
Brown, Ch. 2;
Kuniavsky, Ch. 7;
Dumas, Ch. 3
Brown, Ch. 5;
Kuniavsky, Ch. 14
Brown, Ch. 7
Brown, Ch. 6
Brown, Ch. 10-11
Assignment Due
HW #1 (resume)
HW #2 (3 personas)
HW #3 (competitive
analysis)
10
W, 2/27
Multimedia Design Tools
11
12
M, 3/3
W, 3/5
Image Manipulation Tools
Basic Design Principles
13
M, 3/10
Dumas, Ch. 5
14
15
W, 3/12
M, 3/17
Design Module review;
Evaluation Module overview;
Heuristic evaluation
Project work day
Design project presentations
16
W, 3/19
Dumas, Ch. 2
M, 3/24
Evaluation Project Requirements;
Form teams; Human Subject
(HSC) Applications
No Class: Spring Break
17
W, 3/26
M, 3/31
No Class: Spring Break
Evaluation Methods overview
18
W, 4/2
Developing a Test Plan &
Selecting Participants
19
M, 4/7
20
W, 4/9
Setting up the Test Environment
& Preparing the Test Materials
Conducting the Test
21
M, 4/14
22
W, 4/16
23
M, 4/21
W, 4/23
24
M, 4/28
25
W, 4/30
26
M, 5/5
27
W, 5/7
END
TBA; Project work day: Finalize
proposal and HSC Applications
Analyzing Data & Reporting
Findings
Piloting of Test Instruments and
Protocol with Class
No Class: Quest Day
Project work day: Collect Data
for project as approved
Project work day: Collect data &
analyze results
Project work day: Finish analysis
& prepare presentation
Evaluation project (user test)
presentations
TBA
Design Project (URL)
Dumas, Ch. 13;
Kuniavksy, Ch. 8, 9,
& 11
Dumas, Ch. 7-10;
Kuniavksy, Ch. 10
Dumas, Ch. 11,12,
14
Dumas, Ch. 16,18,
19
HW #4 (peer heuristic
evaluation)
HW #5 (methods
comparison)
User Test Proposal &
HSC Applications
Dumas, Ch. 20-22
Dumas, Ch. 15 & 17
User Test Presentation;
**User Test REPORT
due by Friday, 5/9, at
1pm (hard copy only)