CQUniversity Unit Profile
COIS12036 Human-Computer Interaction
Human-Computer Interaction
All details in this unit profile for COIS12036 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit shows the importance of designing easy-to-use Web-based applications. Topics include the underlying theories of human-computer interaction, design principles, guidelines, evaluation, and social and individual impact. Practical hands-on include the design, development and testing of a Web-based application using contemporary software development tools.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite: COIT11222 Programming Fundamentals

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2020

Brisbane
Cairns
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney
Townsville

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
2. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 35%
3. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 45%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Teaching Team Feedback

Feedback

The inclusion of interactive discussions during the online lectures has positively enhanced student engagement and participation.

Recommendation

Continue to incorporate interactive discussions as a regular and integral part of online lectures.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Describe the relationship between human computer interaction and interaction design
  2. Demonstrate the main principles of interactive design through critical evaluation of an appropriate interactive Web-based application.
  3. Demonstrate how human-computer interaction design and development methods are employed during the development of human-computer interaction prototypes and end user testing.
  4. Apply the knowledge of human-computer interaction design and development methods in the construction of a small interactive Web-based application.
  5. Demonstrate the knowledge and skill sets required in using appropriate software tools in the development of interactive Web-based application.

Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is in use in over 100 countries
and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and
role profiles.


ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile at https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/mysfia-b2c.html
This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA. The SFIA code is included:

  • User experience analysis (UNAN)
  • User experience evaluation (USEV)
  • Information content publishing (ICPM)
  • Program ming/software development (PROG)
  • Testing (TEST)

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 35%
3 - Practical and Written Assessment - 45%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 35%
3 - Practical and Written Assessment - 45%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Interaction design

Edition: 5th edn (2019)
Authors: Preece, J, Sharp, H & Rogers, Y
John Wiley & Sons Australia
West Sussex West Sussex , England , England
ISBN: 9781119547259
Binding: Paperback
Prescribed

Principles of web design

Edition: 6th edn revised (2014)
Authors: Sklar, J
Cengage Course Technology
Florence Florence , KY , USA
ISBN: 9781285852645
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

If you prefer to study with a paper copy, they are available at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code). eBooks are available at the publisher's website.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Notepad or Notepad ++
  • Website browser: FireFox, IE, Chrome
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Andrew Chiou Unit Coordinator
a.chiou@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 13 Jul 2020

Module/Topic

  • WHAT IS INTERACTION DESIGN?
  • COGNITIVE ASPECTS
  • HTML5 - Part 1

Chapter

Preece et al (5th ed.): Chap 1 & Chap 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 20 Jul 2020

Module/Topic

  • CONCEPTUALIZING INTERACTION
  • HTML5 - Part 2

Chapter

Preece et al (5th ed.): Chap 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 27 Jul 2020

Module/Topic

  • INTRODUCING EVALUATION
  • CSS3 - Part 1

Chapter

Preece et al (5th ed.): Chap 14

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 03 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

  • THE PROCESS OF INTERACTION DESIGN
  • CSS3 - Part 2

Chapter

Preece et al (5th ed.): Chap 2

Events and Submissions/Topic

Written Review Due: Week 4 Friday (7 Aug 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 5 Begin Date: 10 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

  • DISCOVERING REQUIREMENTS
  • CSS3 - Part 3

Chapter

Preece et al (5th ed.): Chap 11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 17 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 24 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

  • DESIGN, PROTOTYPING, AND CONSTRUCTION
  • CSS3 - Part 4

Chapter

Preece et al (5th ed.): Chap 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 31 Aug 2020

Module/Topic

  • INTERFACES
  • DATA GATHERING
  • CSS3 - Part 5

Chapter

Preece et al (5th ed.): Chap 7 & Chap 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Project A Due: Week 7 Friday (4 Sept 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 07 Sep 2020

Module/Topic

  • DATA ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION, AND PRESENTATION
  • CSS3 - Part 6

Chapter

Preece et al (5th ed.): Chap 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 14 Sep 2020

Module/Topic

  • EMOTIONAL INTERACTION
  • CSS3 - Part 7

Chapter

Preece et al (5th ed.): Chap 6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 21 Sep 2020

Module/Topic

  • SOCIAL INTERACTION
  • CSS3 - Part 8

Chapter

Preece et al (5th ed.): Chap 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 28 Sep 2020

Module/Topic

  • INTERACTION DESIGN IN PRACTICE
  • Web Design Topics - Part 1

Chapter

Preece et al (5th ed.): Chap 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 05 Oct 2020

Module/Topic

  • EVALUATION STUDIES: FROM CONTROLLED TO NATURAL SETTINGS
  • Web Design Topics - Part 2

Chapter

Preece et al (5th ed.): Chap 15

Events and Submissions/Topic

Project B Due: Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Oct 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 19 Oct 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Course Coordinator: Dr. Andrew Chiou

Contact e-mail: a.chiou@cqu.edu.au

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Review

Task Description

Synopsis

Your task is to undertake an in-depth evaluation of a nominated website. The nominated website will be provided in the Assignment Specification.

Upon the completion of this task, you are to provide a formal report documenting your critical evaluation of the nominated website. The report should draw particular attention to the interactive aspects and user interface design of the website. Support your critique with appropriate design and evaluation principle.

Complete details of the assignment will be available and downloadable from the Course website in Week 1.


Assessment Due Date

Week 4 Friday (7 Aug 2020) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Marked assignments will be returned approximately 2 weeks after submission deadline.


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
Students must submit this assignment to pass the unit.

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Criteria


The following criteria will be used to assess the quality of your report:
Criteria

Review and Evaluation:
• Overview and description.
• Identify and elaborate main features.
• Identify the positive and negative aspects.
• Reviews and comments from two other participants.
• Recommendation on improvements to be made, or otherwise.
• Demonstrates that in-depth evaluation have been undertaken.

Relevance to Principles of HCI:
• Arguments and assertions are sound.
• Arguments and assertions are supported by HCI principles.
• Arguments are developed consistently and logically.
• Demonstrates understanding of the HCI subject matter and applying this competently to the review.

Presentation:
• Report professionally presented.
• Grammar and spelling.
• Written style and expression.
• Citation and references.
• Overall presentation.
• Within minimum and maximum word limit.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Detailed instructions are available from the Moodle unit website.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe the relationship between human computer interaction and interaction design
  • Demonstrate the main principles of interactive design through critical evaluation of an appropriate interactive Web-based application.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Project A

Task Description

Synopsis

The overall task is divided into two phases. The following description should be read as a whole for both Project A and Project B.

Design and develop a website incorporating elements of human-computer interaction principles. The end result is to demonstrate the viability and user acceptance of the specific user interface employed by the website.

Project A

  • Carry out user and task analysis to gather user and system requirements.
  • Based on the initial findings and the technical specification, develop a preliminary design (i.e. low-fidelity 'paper' prototype) of the specified user interface.
  • The prototype will be used to test your initial design concepts and ideas. Obtain user feedback from the tests.
  • Submit a report documenting the prototype, design process, initial user feedback and recommendations on how to improve the design.

Project B

  • Based on the user test feedback and recommendations from the previous phase (Project A), develop a high-fidelity prototype as a proof-of-concept.
  • Evaluate the prototype and carry out a user test.
  • Submit a report documenting the prototype, design and development process, user test and any further work required.

Note that these are not programming projects in themselves. The primary purpose of both projects is to ensure that students adopt best practice and adhere closely to HCI principles during the process of designing and developing the interactive user interfaces. As the prototyping requirements suggests, a fully functional system is not expected from either Project A and Project B. Inevitably, some limited functionality (such as dummy output) is expected in order to demonstrate the capability of the system. Knowledge of database backends are not required in this unit.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Friday (4 Sept 2020) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Marked assignments will be returned approximately 2 weeks after submission deadline.


Weighting
35%

Minimum mark or grade
Students must submit this assignment to pass the unit.

Assessment Criteria

  1. Overview and description of project
  2. User and task analysis
    1. Alternative user tasks have been considered
  3. Design and system requirements
    1. Alternative designs have been considered
  4. User testing and feedback
    1. Adhere to HCI principles
    2. Main features of the initial design and intended purpose
  5. Low fidelity prototype
  6. Presentation (professionally presented, grammar and spelling clear)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Detailed instructions are available from the Moodle unit website.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate how human-computer interaction design and development methods are employed during the development of human-computer interaction prototypes and end user testing.
  • Apply the knowledge of human-computer interaction design and development methods in the construction of a small interactive Web-based application.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skill sets required in using appropriate software tools in the development of interactive Web-based application.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

3 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Project B

Task Description

This project is a continuation of Project A. Please see the task description for Project A for details.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2020) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Marked assignments will be returned after exam certification date.


Weighting
45%

Minimum mark or grade
Students must submit this assignment to pass the unit.

Assessment Criteria

  1. Overview and description of project
  2. User test
    1. Walkthrough scenario
    2. Results for performance of the webpage
    3. Results for the test user performance
  3. Features
    1. Evidence of features working as described
    2. Innovative
  4. Recommendations
  5. High fidelity prototype
    1. Interface adheres to HCI principles
    2. Webpage functionality demonstrated
    3. Final usability and expert review of website
  6. Presentation (professionally presented, grammar and spelling clear)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Detailed instructions are available from the Moodle unit website.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate how human-computer interaction design and development methods are employed during the development of human-computer interaction prototypes and end user testing.
  • Apply the knowledge of human-computer interaction design and development methods in the construction of a small interactive Web-based application.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skill sets required in using appropriate software tools in the development of interactive Web-based application.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?