Back to Module List

CMPSMM23 - HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION

Module Code:
CMPSMM23
Department:
Computing Sciences
Credit Value:
20
Level:
M
Organiser:
Dr. Dan Smith
An introduction to Human Computer Interaction including user interfaces on conventional computers and small footprint devices (e.g. PDAs and smart mobile phones). Human-Computer interactions are approached from a variety of perspectives: cognitive, ethnographic, socio-technical and systems theoretic. The module covers aspects of cognitive psychology and ethnographic methods necessary to understand and evaluate HCI. It brings together established practice and newer perspectives in order to fully understand what is meant by the usability and accessibility of modern interactive systems.

Relevant books are found in the Library around classmarks QA76 and TK5105


Recommended reading:

  • Dix A., Finlay J., Abowd G. D., Beale R. (2003). Human-Computer Interaction, Pearson / Prentice Hall
  • Tullis T. and Albert B. (2008). Measuring the User Experience: collecting, analyzing and presenting usability metrics, Morgan Kaufmann

Supplementary reading:

Additional reading and resources will be recommended in lectures and, where appropriate, made available on Blackboard.


Submission:

Written coursework should be submitted by following the standard CMP practice. Students are advised to refer to the Guidelines and Hints on Written Work in CMP.

Deadlines:

If coursework is handed in after the deadline day or an agreed extension:
 

 

Work submitted Marks deducted
After 15:00 on the due date and before 15:00 on the day following the due date 10 marks
After 15:00 on the second day after the due date and before 15:00 on the third day after the due date 20 marks
After 15:00 on the third day after the due date and before 15:00 on the 20th day after the due date.  All the marks the work merits if submitted on time (ie no marks awarded) 
After 20 working days Work will not be marked and a mark of zero will be entered


Saturdays and Sundays will NOT be taken into account for the purposes of calculation of marks deducted.

All extension requests will be managed through the LTS Hub. A request for an extension to a deadline for the submission of work for assessment should be submitted by the student to the appropriate Learning and Teaching Service Hub, prior to the deadline, on a University Extension Request Form accompanied by appropriate evidence. Extension requests will be considered by the appropriate Learning and Teaching Service Manager in those instances where (a) acceptable extenuating circumstances exist and (b) the request is submitted before the deadline. All other cases will be considered by a Coursework Coordinator in CMP.

For more details, including how to apply for an extension due to extenuating circumstances download Submission for Work Assessment (PDF, 39KB)
 

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is the copying or close paraphrasing of published or unpublished work, including    the work of another student; without due acknowledgement. Plagiarism is regarded a serious offence by the University, and all cases will be investigated. Possible consequences of plagiarism include deduction of marks and disciplinary action, as detailed by UEA's Policy on Plagiarism and Collusion.


Module specific:

  • Knowledge of the capabilities of the human perceptual system and how user interfaces should be constructed to match the perceptual system
  • An understanding of good user interface practice
  • Experience of HCI experimental and evaluation techniques.

Transferable skills:

  • Experience working in a small team on a group project
  • Survey and evaluation experience.

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  • Understand good and bad practice in user interfaces and to be able to specify, construct and test good interfaces
  • Work in a small team developing skills to ensure consistency and compatibility between individual contributions
  • Understand the capabilities of users and appreciate the needs of users when using systems.

The formal teaching consists of lectures and lab classes.

Total hours:  40

Lectures: 20 hours (with provisional weekly schedule)

  1. Introduction to HCI
  2. Humans and cognition
  3. Interactions
  4. Prototypes
  5. Evaluation
  6. Interface design
  7. Evaluation experiments
  8. Usable security
  9. Mobile design
  10. Design for everybody

Laboratory work: 20 hours (with provisional weekly schedule)


The lab classes support these lectures, enabling students to experience key HCI techniques. Topics covered include (provisional):

  1. Usability issues
  2. UI design principles
  3. Use cases and scenarios
  4. UI prototyping
  5. Website usability scales
  6. Task design
  7. Think aloud
  8. Phishing
  9. Mobile browsing
  10. Website accessibility

Coursework and Project