Time Schedule:
Mark R Zachry
HCDE 517
Seattle Campus
Discusses the human-computer interface (HCI) as the communicative aspect of a computer system. Analyzes usability issues in HCI design, explores design-phase methods of predictability, and introduces evaluative methods of usability testing. Prerequisite: substantial experience with computers and graduate standing, or permission of instructor. Offered: A.
Class description
This course will introduce you to usability testing and, in less detail, to usability research as a user-centered design strategy. The course takes a process approach; you will learn how to define your audiences and issues, create investigative procedures that answer your questions, administer the procedures, analyze the results, and report your findings effectively.
Student learning goals
Understand and explain to others what usability testing and usability research are and what they can contribute to a design effort
Analyze the usability issues that a product has and prioritize those that merit investigation through a usability test; analyze the various audiences for the product and prioritize those that are most critical at the current moment
Design a usability test that answers the questions you have for the audiences of interest
Administer a professional quality test, analyze the results, and formally report the findings
General method of instruction
discussion of readings; in-class workshops; project work
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
project proposal; test plan; test kit; presentation; report; self-evaluation
