Course syllabus

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TDA498 / DIT104 Interaction design methodology lp1 HT21 (7.5 hp)

The course is offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Contact details

 

Course purpose

The aim of the course is to introduce basic design methodology in interaction design with a focus on design issues related to user experience and aesthetics. The course consists of several smaller exercises, a group project, and an individual examination.

The course covers the following topics, which together serve in giving knowledge about the entire design process

  • The design process
  • Understanding Users
  • Design phases
  • Methods
  • Data Analysis
  • Ideation and selection of ideas
  • Co-design

 

Schedule

TimeEdit

Detailed planning.docx

Course literature

Bruce, Hanington & Martin, Bella. Universal Methods of design: 125 ways to research complex problems, develop innovative ideas, and design effective solutions. Rev. edition ISBN:9781631597497. Beverly, USA. 2019.

Link to the eBook at Chalmers Library: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/chalmers/detail.action?docID=6039458

Link to the eBook at Gothenburg University library: https://gu-se-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/1c6n021/TN_cdi_askewsholts_vlebooks_9781631597497

Selection of chapters in this book will be recommended to read:

Chisnell, Dana, Rubin, Jeffery, Handbook of usability testing – How to Plan, Design and Conduct Effective Tests. Second Edition. 2008.

Link to the eBook at Chalmers Library: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat07472a&AN=clec.EBC343716&site=eds-live&scope=site&authtype=guest&custid=s3911979&groupid=main&profile=eds

Link to the eBook at Gothenburg University library: https://gu-se-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/1c6n021/TN_cdi_ciando_primary_ciando486379

Further reading and other texts and useful internet links will be provided during lectures.

Course design

The course is given in English. The course features both practical and theoretical parts, as well as work in groups and individual work.

All teaching will be in a hybrid format during Study period 1, which means that about half of the scheduled time will be on campus. The activities in groups will be in smaller groups (about 5 students/group). All work on campus is asked to follow the current covid-19 restrictions.

The course runs Mondays from 9.15-17.00 and Wednesdays from 9.15-17.00. Lectures will behold Mondays from 9.15-12.00, with exception.  See the Schedule for details on exact times and rooms.

Lectures will take place online in the zoom room: https://chalmers.zoom.us/j/8047826074?pwd=RUs1dGN5YjU3SllPc1VqK3FWbnZGdz09

Password: 1234

On the lectures on Monday mornings, the theoretical foundation and instructions for upcoming individual tasks and group work instructions will be given.

The theoretical parts will immediately be put into practice in the form of Individual work and Group work on Monday afternoons and Wednesdays.

Individual task No 3 and the Group work need activities ongoing during the whole course. The deadlines for the Individual activities and group work activities are on Wednesdays.

The lectures and activities will be synchronous which means the students should be available to engage with the class during class hours.

Teachers and teaching assistants will be available for supervision every Monday and Wednesday.

On Mondays and Wednesday’s group work will take place on campus.

The course requires active participation, therefore most of the time will be spent working in groups.

Relation between the learning outcomes and the parts of the course:

Lectures: Mondays with exception

Individual exercises: Mondays and Wednesdays

Group work exercises are divided into 5 different parts and 1 final report: Mondays and Wednesdays

Supervision: Mondays and Wednesdays

 

Activities

Instructions

Mondays

Deadline

Wednesdays

Supervision Mondays and Wednesdays

 

Individual Task No1

Week 2 Lesson 1 /

2021-09-06

Week 3 Lesson 2 /

2021-09-15

Week 2 / 2021-09-08 and Week 3 / 2021-09-13

Individual Task No2

Week 4 Lesson 1 /

2021-09-20

Week 5 Lesson 2 /

2021-09-29

Week 4 / 2021-09-22 and Week 5 / 2021-09-27

Individual Task No3

Week 2 Lesson 1 /

2021-09-06

Week 7 Lesson 2 /

2021-10-13

From Week 2 till Week 7

Group work

Week 2 Lesson 1 /

2021-09-06

Week 8 lesson 2 /

2021-10-20

From Week 2 till Week 7

 Focus is on:

  • turning theory into practical action where analysis and reflections will be a great part.
  • applying methods from instructions and following the design process
  • exchange of thoughts, feedback, designs, and ideas.
  • the use of methods NOT on the outcomes!

For the lectures, the digital tool Zoom will be used.

Communication with teachers and TA’s will be held by personal meetings, mail, or Slack.

All hand-ins will be on Canvas.

All recorded lectures and instructions will be put on the Canvas course home page.

Missed deadlines will strictly be handled by Chalmers and GU instructions.

 Changes made since the last occasion

The main changes are as follows:

  • Course literature is added.
  • There is no strong connection to the course Prototyping in Interaction Design to make the work more efficient for the students.
  • The group work theme has changed and the individual hand-ins are in the form of a report.

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

Knowledge and understanding

  • Describe stages of the design process
  • Describe methods for working with interaction design
  • Describe the similarities and differences of different design methods
  • Describe considerations for involving users in the design process  
  • Explain the difference between the methods employed in craftsmanship, traditional design, and modern design

 Skills and abilities

  • Design technology with regards to users
  • Modify design methods to fit the context and needs of users
  • Identify needs and requirements for users
  • Develop and describe new design methods
  • Plan design projects with respect to design goals, stakeholders' requirements, and available resources and expertise
  • Conduct work in an inter-cultural environment (including both cultural and educational backgrounds)

 Judgment and approach

 Analyze designs taking into account the needs of users

  • Make an informed evaluation of the ethical and societal impacts of a design
  • Criticize designs and design processes with respect to the methods used
  • Identify ethical and social dilemmas in interaction design research and practice
  • Reflect on your own design process objectively
  • Design with regards to aesthetical issues of interaction

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen: 

Link to syllabus Chalmers (Link to an external site).

Link to syllabus Gothenburg University (Link to an external site)

Examination form

The course is examined through two modules:

  • Individual exercises and group work 3,0 credits (Pass/Fail)             
  • Exam: 4,5 credits (Fail, 3,4,5)

In order to pass the entire course, the students need to receive a pass on the module individual exercise and group work and at least grade 3 on the second module Exam. If the student fails on one or more parts in the individual work or group work the student cannot get a final grade. The student will get a grade and credit points for the parts the student passed.

A note on the distribution of credits:

It may seem odd that the eight weeks of practical work are only worth 3 credits, whereas the home exam in itself is 4.5 credits. This is because much of the time and effort spent on reading and doing exercises goes into the home exam as well, where they come together to express the students’ understanding of process and methods; the points do thus not reflect work time but learning.

Course summary:

Date Details Due