IT 355

Catalog Data:(3:2:4) W,Sp Prerequisite: IT210, CS 142

User Interface Design with an emphasis on Human Factors, Performance Analysis, Cognitive Processing, Task Analysis, Usability Studies, Environment, Interaction, Training, and Documentation.

See Class webpage for details (http://www.et.byu.edu/groups/it355)

Textbook(s):   Schneiderman, Ben, Plaisant, Catherine. "Designing the User Interface: Strategiees for Effective Human-Computer Interaction " Addison Wesley, 4th Ed. 2005

Lecture Notes:  Resource materials are available to the student on the 'Groups' web site.  This includes, Usablility Lab Packet, Lecture Notes, PowerPoint Topic areas, outside links, and more

Reference Book(s):

Norman, D.,  "The Design of Everyday Things", Basic Books,

Class website: Access through Blackboard.
(pre-2006 class material available through http://class.et.byu.edu/it355/ )

Class Coordinator:  Dr. R. Gonzales

Goals:

1. To assist each student gain an appreciation and sensitivity of producing electronic communication processes and products via computing.
2. To educate students to become aware of cultural diversity associated with web site design and deployment.
3. To produce an optimum web site design that employes correct principles of design, navigation, and GUI interface.
4. To gain proficiency in the iterative processes of project design.
5. To cause students to participate with user friendly aspects of web site design that implements elements of verbal, auditory, sightedness, and and cognitive mapping principles and guidelines.
6. To cause students to validate their web site designs utilizing available tools and standards.

Prerequisites by topic (must be functional in the following languages):

• C progamming language
• Java script
• PERL
• PHP
• HTML
• PHP
• XML

Outcomes

1. Understand the history, modeling, and analysis of acceptable human performance.
2. Understand human characteristics, limitations, and individual differences.
3. Understand human sensory mechanisms and responses.
4. Understand human cognitive processing and performance.
5. Understand human memory characteristics.
6. Understand human motivation.
7. Understand iterative design and prototying
8. Understand and participate in usability studies
9. Understand product analysis and definition
10. Understand various methods of input and output
11. Understand task-oriented analysis and design
12. Understand the nature and limitations of human/computer interaction
13. Understand presentation issues and user guidance
14. Understand how written instructions facilitate human performance
15. Understand the training process, its costs and benefits
16. Understand how to optimize usability
17. Understand the role of the physical and social environment in human performance

Laboratory projects:   A topic emphasis will be designated with each laboratory assignment.  See complete list of laboratory projects on 'groups' website.

Laboratory topics:

1. The Psychology of Everyday Things
2. Preparing a User Profile
3. The Psychology of Everyday Actions
4. Speech Interface
5. GUI Interface
6. Use Cases
7. Reading comparisons
8. User Interface model
9. Software Usability Test
10. Comparison Scores
11. Application system
12. User Profile Questions
13. Visual Displays and Controls
14. Task Analysis
15. Web based presentation issues
16. RFP and Business Plan
17. Web Site development
18. Statistical Comparisons

Laboratory Equipment:  Use of computing facilities as provided with CAEDM campus accounts

Written and oral communication requirements:    Students will complete both written laboratory assignments and team presentations

Math Analysis:   College Algebra

Library or other Research Projects:   All lab usability projects will involve developmental references and resource documentation associated with each assigned  usability topic.

Life-long learning experiences:    Student's will be made aware of the limitations and strengths associated with human behavioral traits as applied to computing applications

Prepared By: R. Gonzales

Date Revised:   Jan 6, 2006