CS 410/CS 560 Human-Computer Interaction 1

Syllabus
(an up-to-date version of this syllabus is available at
http://www.larson-tech.com/CS410/CS410Syllabus.htm)

Spring Quarter
Tuesdays 18:40-21:20 p.m., Capital Center 1305
March 31-June 9, 2009

Instrucations for course E-mail list
https://mailhost.cecs.pdx.edu/mailman/listinfo/cs560-list

Instructor
James A. Larson, Ph.D.
Larson Technical Services
16055 SW Walker Road, #402
Beaverton, OR 97006

Fax (503) 645-3598
E-mail: jim@larson-tech.com

Textbook
Ben Shneiderman & Catherine Plaisant, 2010, Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction, 5th Edition, Boston: Addison Wesley, ISBN: 0-321-53735-1

Course Description
Introduction to the basic theory of human-computer interaction. Principles of human cognition and interface design, interface evaluation techniques. Several prototyping tools will be presented. Projects are required.

Training, skill, and experience are necessary to design user interfaces that are truly easy to learn and use. This course presents the theory and principles behind great user interfaces and enables students to put theory into practice by (1) specifying criteria for evaluating user interfaces; (2) implementing a variety of user interfaces, including GUI (Graphical User Interface), VUI (Voice User Interface) , and MMUI (Multimodal User Interface); and (3) applying the evaluation criteria to the user interface. Students should be able to apply the knowledge they gain from this course to both design and evaluate user interfaces using technologies available today and tomorrow.

Course Goals

• Determine the appropriate dialog style, modes, and modalities of user interfaces
• Design and implement simple graphical, verbal, and multimodal user interfaces
• Specify testable performance and usability criteria
• Design testing strategies and testing instruments
• Collect and evaluate performance and usability data

Course Prerequisite: Knowledge of HTML, so students can develop prototype Graphical User Interfaces (Students may use any HTML generation tool such as Front Page, Dreamweaver, etc.)

Course Requirements
Students will form teams to prototype and evaluate three user-user interfaces (GUI, VUI, and MMUI)

Teams
During the first class, teams of 2 to 3 students will be formed to complete the first project. After the first project is completed, the teams may be reorganized.

Course Grading

• The final exam is worth 100 points.
• The weekly quizzes are each worth 10 points. (The lowest quiz score will dropped.)
• Each project is worth 100 points. Projects are due at 6 p.m. on the due date. Late projects will lose 10% of the possible points each day it is late. No project will be accepted after three days beyond its due date.
• The final exam will be closed book. Cheating during the quizzes or exams will result in no credit for the course.
• The final grade will be assigned as follows:
  • Students earning more than 90% of the possible points will earn a course grade of A.
  • Students earning between 80% and 89% of the possible points will earn a course grade of B.
  • Students earning between 70% and 79% of the possible points will earn a course grade of C.
  • Students earning less than 70% will not earn credit for the course.

No late reports will be accepted. (If you are not able to attend class, make sure your team mate turns in reports. Alternatively, reports may be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed to instructor.)

Weekly Schedule

Class cancellation: In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the instructor will telephone and/or e-mail students two hours before the beginning of class. On bad weather days, please check your e-mail before coming to the classroom.