Undergraduate Module Descriptors 2012/13
MU220: User Interaction Studies
| Module Title |
User Interaction Studies |
| Module Code |
MU220 |
| Module Tutor |
Nina Reeves |
| School |
Computing and Technology |
| CAT Points |
30 |
| Level of Study |
5 |
| Pre-requisites |
Before taking this module you must pass MU120 or pass MU130 |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| Restrictions |
None |
| Brief Description |
The module involves the design and evaluation of multimedia interfaces to ensure usability for defined user groups. It includes empirical evaluation and practical work in the development of novel interface solutions. |
| Indicative Syllabus |
The Human Factors background to usability issues related to the design and evaluation of multimedia interfaces for a wide variety of applications including areas such as websites, immersive museum exhibits, games, training scenarios, marketing campaigns etc. Designing for diversity in user populations including anthropometry and accessibility. Practical prototyping and evaluation studies including both quantitative and qualitative methods and industry standard reporting techniques for these. |
| Learning Outcomes |
i Knowledge and Understanding:
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
a) discuss the cognitive and perceptual principles together with the cultural aspects which underpin users’ interaction with multimedia systems,
b) evaluate established interface design principles to establish which can be appropriately applied to multimedia applications in order to create usable systems,
c) develop criteria from the literature and use them to evaluate multimedia interfaces produced by others,
d) interpret a scenario, plan and design a prototype multimedia interface,
e) carry out appropriate formative and summative evaluation studies and report these using an industry standard format,
f) investigate the leading edge developments in multimedia interface design and use these to inform the design process.
ii. Skills
By the end of the module students should have developed skills in:
Application of numerical techniques: summarising and reporting data from empirical work.
Communication and Literacy: storyboard planning, capturing and editing appropriate graphic, audio and video media, producing a working prototype multimedia interface; communicate the results of empirical evaluation studies.
Problem solving: identify a suitable range of media appropriate for presentation of ideas or concepts.
Independent Learning and working: one assignment is an individual piece of work eg: a critical review of a multimedia interface or a report on experimental or other empirical work.
Working with others: teamwork eg: carry out an evaluation study such as a focus group or create a prototype multimedia interface.
Information and Communications Technology: all written work is word-processed; the assignment involves the use of a variety of multimedia software applications and is presented to the class using a projector.
Specific vocational skills: all software is standard in the multimedia industry, time management and inter-disciplinary team working for production projects; empirical evaluation work as carried out in usability labs. |
| Learning and Teaching Activities |
Teaching and learning Staff-student contact: 30% including lectures and practical sessions examining existing multimedia interfaces.
Student: 70% private study |
| Assessment (For further details see the Module Guide) |
001: 50% Practical Assessment: In-class: Practical: 4000 words or equivalent
002: 50% Coursework: Standard: 4000 words or equivalent
|
| Special Assessment Requirements |
None |
| Indicative Resources |
The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide. |
