Interaction Design and Usability

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

10 hours per week

Students must have completed 50 points of graduate level study in any degree OR obtained entry to the 100pt or 150pt MIS

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It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Typically 40% of IS development costs can be attributed to user interface development. Unusable systems may necessitate longer training courses, incur higher operational costs, be ineffective in supporting business processes, be error prone and even dangerous. This subject presents students with the theory, methodology and technology relevant to the development of innovative and usable interactive information systems.

Aspects of the following topics will be considered:

• Theoretical foundations (conceptual theories, user characteristics, user models)
• UI technology (human-computer dialogues and input technology)
• Usability engineering (user-centred design; user needs analysis; participatory design and usability evaluation)

Other issues in interaction design will also be introduced

At the completion of this subject, students should:

• Have knowledge of the technical, cognitive and social factors that can make interactive software effective;
• Understand and be able to apply user-centred design techniques;
• Be aware of the range of design principles, techniques and methods that can assist user interface designers, and understand the limitations of such tools.

Written assignment work of not more than 6000 words consisting of an individual assignment due mid-semester (20%) and a group assignment due at the end of semester (30%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (50%).

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students should develop skills in report writing, oral communication, independent learning skills, public presentation and teamwork.