| Section | 1 |
|---|---|
| Instructor(s) | — |
| Location | None |
| Meeting Times | |
| Fulfills | Specialization - Application Development (APP-2) Elective |
*Please note: This is the syllabus from the 2021/22 academic year and subject to change.*
Instructor: Kathryn Wozniak (she/her/hers)
Email: k.wozniak@uchicago.edu
Office Hours: Before/after class and by appointment (please email me to schedule)
Prerequisites: Core Programming
Course Website: Canvas
Description
This course explores the cognitive psychology and physiology behind humans’ interactions with their environment and how this translates to “good design” of computer-based systems, interfaces, and machines. Emphasis is placed on the value of intentionally observing and analyzing the reciprocal relationship between humans and the design of systems in various contexts from a designer or engineer’s perspective. From a practical standpoint, the course addresses the role human-computer interaction (HCI) plays in enhancing the day-to-day human experience and the value of a product to society, while increasing the bottom line for stakeholders. Topics include perception, memory, attention, mental models, accessibility, user/interaction research methods, interface design principles, and design communication strategies.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this class you will be able to:
Course Components
Class Attendance
Weekly attendance is required. Failure to attend class on a regular basis could result in a failing grade in the course. If time of the class sessions will not work for you to attend, you should not take this class. If you miss more than two class sessions during the quarter, please reach out to masters-admin@cs.uchicago.edu to discuss options for a leave of absence or withdrawal from the course.
Participation: Discussion, Peer Review, Hot Topics
Sharing ideas, insights, and questions in response to the readings, lectures, and demos throughout the course is welcomed and highly encouraged in class and in the discussion channel. Additionally, you are required to find and read at least two articles beyond the course readings on an HCI “hot topic” and share a summary and reflection on those articles by the end of the course. You will also be expected to share your work and provide constructive feedback on others’ work throughout the course through an informal peer review process guided by the professor.
Lectures & Demos
Lectures and demos will prepare you for assignments each week. Lectures will cover relevant topics as listed in the schedule and will include interactive and conversational activities. Demos will provide hands-on demonstrations in class on how to use design tools.
Quizzes
Weekly quizzes, aka “knowledge checks,” will help you to check your comprehension of theories, principles, and applications covered in the readings and lectures.
Project
Four assignments throughout the course (interaction analysis/heuristic review and report, website/system/program/app mockup and prototype, design evaluation and report, re/design and demo) build up to one culminating final report and presentation, which will demonstrate your ability to apply the course principles and topics to an authentic human-computer interaction scenario of your choice. You have the option of identifying and working with a team of 2-4 classmates for the project (all group members must collaborate on all assignments); one team member should notify the professor via email of your team’s members and team name by Week 2. Everyone will receive feedback from the professor and fellow students on each assignment along the way so that they may improve their deliverables for the final report and presentation.
Assessment
Grade
25% Class Participation & Peer Review
10% Quizzes
65% Project Assignments (10% analysis, 10% mockup/prototype, 10% evaluation, 10% redesign, 25% final report and presentation)
Late Assignments
You can submit up to 2 late quizzes and 1 late assignment within 3 days (72 hours) of the original deadline without penalty. Otherwise, the penalty is 5 points per day late. Requests for longer extensions should be submitted to the professor within 24 hrs of the original deadline with an explanation and proposed deadline for the late work. Failure to submit assignments and quizzes on time could result in a failing grade in the course. If you miss more than three deadlines during the quarter, please reach out to masters-admin@cs.uchicago.edu to discuss options for a leave of absence or withdrawal from the course.
Academic Honesty
https://studentmanual.uchicago.edu/academic-policies/academic-honesty-plagiarism/
Tools
We will discuss a variety of tools for creating mockups and prototypes and analyzing user interactions. Some are free for educational use and some have a free trial. You are not required to purchase any of these nor will we go into great depth on the features of each. However, you will be required to use at least one of these tools for the course project, so exploration and self-directed learning is encouraged. Additional resources and links to online tutorials will be provided on Canvas.
Readings
Course Content & Schedule
Slight modifications to schedule and assignments may occur as the quarter progresses.
Week 1: Introduction to HCI
Week 2: HCI Research Methods Part 1
Week 3: Cognition Overview
Week 4: Perception and Accessibility
Week 5: Memory and Attention
Week 6: Errors and Recovery
Week 7: HCI Research Methods: Part 2
Week 8: Communicating with Stakeholders about HCI, Part 1
Week 9: Communicating with Stakeholders about HCI, Part 2
Week 10: Moving HCI Forward
Core Programming
This class is scheduled at a time that does not conflict with any other classes this quarter.