Postgraduate Course: Human-Computer Interaction (Level 11) (INFR11017)
Course Outline
| School | School of Informatics |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The design and implementation of efficient, effective and user friendly computer systems, including software objects and physical internet-enabled things, depends upon understanding both the technology and its users. Only then can designers be confident that these information appliances will be properly matched to the skills, knowledge and needs of their users. The study of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) seeks to combine perspectives and methods of enquiry drawn from disciplines such as Interaction Design, Psychology and Sociology with the tools, techniques and technologies of Computer Science to create an approach to design which is both relevant and practical. |
| Course description |
* Background -- the development and scope of HCI. Practical goals.
* HCI relevant issues in human perception, memory and thinking processes.
* Approaches to designing information appliances -- software objects and physical things.
* Design methodologies and notations -- levels of interface design, evaluation methodologies.
* Techniques and technologies -- dialogue styles, information presentation.
* The design process -- user involvement, iterative design, prototyping.
* Evaluation -- methodologies, formative and summative. Performance analysis.
* Specific issues in HCI -- for example: internet of things, novel interfaces, accessibility, and privacy.
Relevant QAA Computing Curriculum Sections: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Systems, Systems Analysis and Design.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | This course is open to all Informatics students including those on joint degrees. For external students where this course is not listed in your DPT, please seek special permission from the course organiser (lecturer).
Prior programming experience is assumed: assignments require constructing graphical user interfaces in a language such as Java. Basic practical experience with algebra and statistics is assumed. A willingness to pursue an inter-disciplinary approach is essential. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students are required to have comparable background to that assumed by the course prerequisites listed in the Degree Regulations & Programmes of Study.
If in doubt, consult the course organiser (lecturer). |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
78 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment is a combination of groupwork and individual assessment. Students will work on a larger hands-on HCI project in courseworks to gain experience. They will also engage in a range of smaller individual activities throughout the course to get experience in the different aspects of HCI. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate, in writing, knowledge of the issues and problems in HCI , and an understanding of human perception and behaviour in analysing their interactions with technology in their every day lives
- Use established design principles and methodologies to solve HCI problems
- Acquire confidence in handling different disciplinary perspectives on HCI and the ability to apply them to design problems
- The ability to devise, plan and execute task analysis and system evaluation studies from an HCI perspective, and present findings in a clear and effective manner
- Demonstrate awareness of current areas of research by locating and summarising examples of recent progress
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Reading List
| see Course Website |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Kami Vaniea
Tel: (0131 6)50 2870
Email: kvaniea@inf.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Lori Anderson
Tel: (0131 6)51 4164
Email: lori.anderson@ed.ac.uk |
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