Fall 2006: Course Description for Human
Computer Interaction (SYST 469‑01)
Instructor: Bill
Killam, MA CHFP
����������� Office: Off Campus; Phone # 703-729-0998;
e‑mail: [email protected]
����������� Office Hours: By Appointment
�����������
Texts:
Preece,
Prerequisite: IT/STAT
250, IT 108
The purpose of this
course is to help students understand the principles of human-computer
interaction and the techniques in optimizing that interaction.� .� Our
goal is improved system interaction by understanding the limits and
capabilities of human that affect their ability to interact with computers and
computer-based systems.� It covers the
basic principles of human-computer interaction including information
processing, cognitive models, and ergonomics.�
We will discuss design models for ensuring the effectiveness,
efficiency, and satisfaction of systems.�
We will also discuss tests for assessing the human-computer interface as
part of research and during system development.
There is a mid‑term
exam, a final exam, and a student project. I use the full grading scale,
including pluses and minuses. Each of the two exams is worth 35% of your grade;
the student project is worth 30%. The exams will be based on questions based on
each lecture which we will outline after each class. The questions will cover
material presented in the texts and class. I expect students to read the
material for each week�s class before the class so that they can answer
questions about it. The exams are
closed-book and closed-notes. There will be a review session prior to each
test.� Please use the review period to
make sure you know the answers to questions that might be on the exams.� Laptops can not be used to take the exams.
The purpose of the
student project is to give students an opportunity to apply what they have
learned in class to a real world problem. Student will select from either a
design project or a design evaluation project.�
Feel free to use material from work and/or other classes. Just make sure
that I can clearly see how you are effectively applying what you have learned
in this class to your selected problem. The result of the project will be a
15-minute presentation (with viewgraphs) on the last two days of class.
Week 1 (8/30)����� Introduction (Preece, Chaps. 1 & 5)
Week 2 (9/6)������ Understanding Users I (Preece, Chapter
2)
Week 3 (9/13) ��� Understanding
Users II
Week 4 (9/20)����� Setting Your Design Goals (Preece, Chap. 7)
Week 5 (9/27) ���� Design
Methods (Preece, Chaps. 6 & 9)
���� and Review for
Midterm Exam
Week 6 (10/4)����� Midterm Exam
����
Week 7 (10/11)��� Review Midterm and Task Analysis and Use
Models I
Week 8 (10/18)��� Task Analysis and Use Models II
Week 9 (10/25)��� From Conceptual Design to Operational
Prototype (Preece, Chap. 8)
Week 10 (11/1)��� HCI Evaluation Methods (Preece, Chap. 10)
Week 11 (11/8)��� Design Analysis
and Testing I (Preece, Chaps. 11 & 12)
Week 12 (11/15)�� Design Analysis and Testing II (Preece,
Chaps. 13 & 14)
Week 13 (11/22)�� No Class � Thanksgiving Day Recess
��
Week 14 (11/29)�� Student Presentations
Week 15 (12/6)���� Student Presentations & Review for
Final Exam
Week 16 (12/13)�� Final Exam (only on material after the midterm exam)