MDA622 - Human-Computer Interaction Design

Credit Points: 20 credit points

Workload: 60 hours

Prerequisite: MDA523 Software Engineering Fundamentals

Co-requisite: N/A

Aims & Objectives

This is a core unit out of a total of 12 units in the Master of Data Analytics (MDA) with a major in Software Engineering. This unit addresses the course learning outcomes and complements other units in a related field by developing students’ specialised knowledge and abilities to apply interaction design principles and processes in constructing engaging interface between a product and its user. For further course information refer to: http://www.mit.edu.au/study-with-us/programs/master-data-analytics. This unit is part of the AQF level 9 (MDA) course.

This unit provides students with insights into how Interaction Design principles and processes can enable the design of interactive products that meet the goals of “usability” and “user experience”, and can support the way people interact and communicate in their daily and working lives. It discusses the multidisciplinary nature of Interaction Design research, and its relationship with Human-Machine Interaction. It explains how to optimise the interaction between humans and interactive products by considering different factors such as context of use, activity types, accessibility, cultural differences, user groups, etc., and how to apply design principles like feedback and simplicity to analyse and evaluate aspects of an interactive product.

This Unit includes the following topics:

  • What is Interaction Design
  • Understanding and Conceptualising Interaction
  • Cognitive Aspects
  • Social Interaction
  • Emotional Interaction
  • Interfaces
  • Data Gathering, Analysis, and Interpretation
  • The Process of Interaction Design
  • Design, Prototyping and Construction
  • Evaluation

Learning Outcomes

4.1 Course Learning Outcomes
The Course learning outcomes applicable to this unit in respect of the course being studied are listed on the Melbourne Institute of Technology website: www.mit.edu.au 

4.2 Unit Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit students should be able to:
a. Demonstrate the principles of Interaction Design and its processes in practice;
b. Connect the interdisciplinary nature of Interaction Design research with the field of Human-Machine Interaction;
c. Investigate various factors including context of use, activity types, accessibility, cultural differences, and user groups that can help to optimise the interaction between humans and interactive products;
d. Analyse and evaluate multiple aspects of an interactive product by referencing different design principles;
e. Apply the principles and processes of Interaction Design to create own interactive products. 

Weekly Topics

This unit will cover the content below:

Week Topics
1 What is Interaction Design
2 Understanding and Conceptualising Interaction
3 Cognitive Aspects
4 Social Interaction
5 Emotional Interaction
6 Interfaces
7 Data Gathering, Analysis, and Interpretation
8 The Process of Interaction Design
9 Establishing Requirements
10 Design, Prototyping and Construction
11 Evaluation
12 Review/Revision

Assessment

Assessment Task Due Date Release Date A B Learning Outcomes Assessed
Assignment 1 Week 3 Week 1 5%   a
In-class test Week 6 Week 1   10% a-b
Assignment 2 Week 11 Week 7 25%   c-d
Laboratory and Problem Based Learning participation & submission Week 2-11 Week 2-11 10%   a-e
Final Examination (3 hours)       50% a-e
TOTALS     40% 60%  

Task Type: Type A: unsupervised, Type B: supervised.

Contribution and participation (in class) (10%)
Students are expected to attend each scheduled session, arrive on time and remain for the entire session. Adherence to this requirement will be reflected in the marks awarded for this assessment. Students are also strongly encouraged to actively participate in the class discussions and tutorial activities by answering questions, expressing their opinions, insights and their learnings from the course.

Presentations (if applicable)
For presentations 

Textbook and Reference Materials

Prescribed Books: 

  • Preece, J., Rogers, Y., Sharp, H. (2019). Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction. United Kingdom: Wiley.

Other references:

  • Churchill, E. F., Ritter, F. E., Baxter, G. D. (2014). Foundations for Designing User-Centered Systems: What System Designers Need to Know about People. United Kingdom: Springer London.
  • Saffer, D. (2010). Designing for Interaction: Creating Innovative Applications and Devices. United Kingdom: New Riders.
  • Yee, J., Steane, J. (2018). Interaction Design: From Concept to Completion. United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing.
  • An introduction to interaction design. (2017). (n.p.): The Open University.

Adopted Referencing Style: For IEEE Style referencing guidance go to: https://library.mit.edu.au/referencing/IEEE 
 

Graduate Attributes

MIT is committed to ensure the course is current, practical and relevant so that graduates are “work ready” and equipped for life-long learning. In order to accomplish this, the MIT Graduate Attributes identify the required knowledge, skills and attributes that prepare students for the industry.
The level to which Graduate Attributes covered in this unit are as follows:

Ability to communicate Independent and Lifelong Learning Ethics Analytical and Problem Solving Cultural and Global Awareness Team work Specialist knowledge of a field of study

Legend

Levels of attainment Extent covered
The attribute is covered by theory and practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students always play an active role, e.g. workshops, lab submissions, assignments, demonstrations, tests, examinations.
The attribute is covered by theory or practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students mostly play an active role, e.g. discussions, reading, intepreting documents, tests, examinations.
The attribute is discussed in theory or practice; it is addressed by assessed activities in which the students may play an active role, e.g. lectures and discussions, reading, interpretation, workshops, presentations.
The attribute is presented as a side issue in theory or practice; it is not specifically assessed, but it is addressed by activities such as lectures or tutorials.
The attribute is not considered, there is no theory or practice or activities associated with this attribute.