Module Details

Module Code: SOFT8010
Title: User Experience Theory
Long Title: User Experience Theory
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2021/22 ( September 2021 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4814 - Computer Software
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module explores the foundations of User Experience, Human-Computer Interaction, and usability best practice within psychology and software development. Students will investigate research material in the area and produce a paper on their research.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Justify usability guidelines and design methods in terms of their psychological foundations.
LO2 Critique standard methods used in the analysis, design, and evaluation of software interfaces.
LO3 Plan the introduction of a usability engineering process.
LO4 Discuss current and emerging usability issues.
LO5 Research and report on a current topic in HCI.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Introduction
Overviews of UX, HCI & Usability, Usability Engineering Process, Established guidelines (Neilsen, Shneiderman, ISO).
Human Psychology
Theories of Perception, Attention, Memory, Causality, Aesthetics, & Learning and their implications for HCI. Specifically issues around: Screen Layout/Presentation, Interface Navigation, Information Visualisation, Directing Attention, User goals and Context, Feedback, Error, Mental Models, Interface Metaphor, User Experience, Icon Design.
Interaction Design
Interaction Paradigms (e.g. large scale, personal, networked, mobile). Modes of Interaction (Vision, Touch & Gesture, Natural Language, Immersion). Interaction Frameworks and Styles (Heim, S.). Interaction Design Process Models (Iterative, User-Centred, lifecycle models). Overview of Methods: requirements gathering (collection, observation, elicitation), requirements analysis (storyboarding, task analysis), Design (card sorting, semantic networks, personas, scenarios, prototyping), Evaluation: Inspection and Testing. Usability metrics. ISO process structure, Accessibility, Information Architecture.
Current & emerging topics
Examples: Cognitive Load Theory, User Involvement in design process. Research paper preparation.
Software Process and Usability
Introduction of Usability and UX Design into an existing software development process.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
A short exam assessing foundational material in psychology and usability engineering.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 9 Learning Outcomes 4,5
Assessment Description
Research Essay on a UX Topic. Essays will either be expository overviews with some in-depth analysis or will present an argument to back up a thesis. Example areas include: Web usability, usability of games, virtual or augmented reality interfaces, handheld and mobile usability, etc.
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Presentation of indicative content. Every Week 3.00 3
Tutorial Contact Reading-based discussion of indicative content. Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Reading, writing, and Study. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Presentation of indicative content. Every Week 3.00 3
Tutorial Contact Reading-based discussion of indicative content. Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Reading, writing, and study. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Shneiderman, B. et al.. (2016), Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective HCI, 6th. Pearson, [ISBN: 9780134380834].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Jason Beaird & James George. (2014), The Principles of Beautiful Web Design, 3rd. SitePoint Pty. Ltd., Collingwood, Victoria, [ISBN: 9780992279448].
  • Alan Cooper et al.. (2014), About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design, 4th. Wiley Pub., Indianapolis, IN, [ISBN: 9781118766576].
  • Steven Heim. (2008), The Resonant Interface, Pearson/Addison Wesley, Boston, [ISBN: 9780321375964].
  • Dix, A. et al.. (2007), Human-Computer Interaction, 4th. Prentice Hall, [ISBN: 9780130461094].
  • Steve Krug. (2014), Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 3rd. New Riders, Berkeley, Calif., [ISBN: 9780321965516].
  • Neilsen, J.. (2000), Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity, New Riders Publishing, [ISBN: 9781562058104].
  • Patrick W. Jordan. (2000), Designing Pleasurable Products: An Introduction to the New Human Factors, Taylor & Francis, London, [ISBN: 9780748408443].
  • Neilsen, J.. (1994), Usability Engineering, Morgan Kaufman, [ISBN: 9780125184069].
  • Donald A. Norman. (2005), Emotional Design, BasicBooks, New York, [ISBN: 9780465051366].
  • Terry Winograd [ed.]. (1996), Bringing Design to Software, ACM Press, [ISBN: 9780201854916].
  • Donald A. Norman. (2013), The Design of Everyday Things, Revised and Expanded. Basic Books, New York, [ISBN: 9780465050659].
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Butler et al.. (1999), Human-Computer Interaction: Introduction and Overview, Proceedings of ACM CHI, pp100-101.
  • Dray Susan. (1995), The Importance of Designing Usable Systems, Interactions, 2(1), Jan. 1995.
  • A. J. Dix. (1994), The Human Interface, Assembly Automation, 14(3): pp9-13.
  • McGrenere & Ho. (2000), Affordances: Clarifying and Evolving a Concept, Proceedings of Graphics Interface, May 2000.
  • Still, J. D. & Dark, V. J.. (2013), Cognitively describing and designing affordances, Design Studies, vol.34,
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art icle/pii/S0142694X12000920
  • Hollender, N. et al.. (2010), Integrating Cognitive Load Theory and Concepts of Human–Computer Interaction, Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 26, pp1278–1288.
  • Larusdottir, M. et al.. (2017), A license to kill –Improving UCSD in Agile development, The Journal of Systems and Software, 123, p.214–2, [ISSN: 0164-1212],
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2016.01. 024
  • Kujala, S.. (2003), User Involvement: A Review of the Benefits and Challenges, Behaviour & Information Technology, vol. 22, #1, pp1-16.
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KWEBD_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Web Development 8 Elective