Spelman College, Spring 2003
CIS 456 Human-Computer Interaction
Section 1, 11:00-1150 a.m., MWF

Instructor

Dr. Jeanette Allen. My office hours are MWF 10:00-11:00am and 1:00-2:00 pm. You can also meet me by appointment. Contact me by email at jallen@spelman.edu or by phone at 223-7623. My office is room 215A in the Academic Computer Center.

Course Overview:

CIS 456, Human Computer Interaction, is a one-semester course meeting three (3) times per week. This course is an upper level course designed to introduce the student to various aspects of the human computer interface and the study of how software and hardware may be designed to increase usability and efficiency.

Objectives:

The objectives of the course are to:

1. Develop an understanding of basic goals and motivation for software and system design based on human factors;
2. Introduce theories, principles, methods, and guidelines for human computer interface design and evaluation;
3. Explore the various options for human computer interfaces;
4. Provide a foundation for the design of software systems including screen and window design, system messages, on-line help, manuals and tutorials.
5. To introduce the tools of effective interfaces including interaction devices and user-interface development environments;
6. Explore ethical and legal issues affecting the area of human computer interface design and implementation;
7. Explore current research in the field of human-computer interaction.

Expected Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

Recognize how a computer system may be modified to accomodate human diversity;

Demonstrate an understanding of principles and theories influencing human computer interaction;

Apply principles of human-computer interface design to software and interface design;

Select an effective style for a specific application;

Design and carry out evaluations of interfaces;

Recognize and apply principles of user interface design;

Carry out the steps of interactive design, testing, and evaluation of human computer interaction systems.

Prerequisites:

CIS 313 Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis or consent of the Instructor

Instruction:

Classroom

There will be classroom lectures, discussions, student presentations and demonstrations.

Assignments:

There will be a series of programming and non-programming assignments ending with the project. The Programming assignments are in Java. Note: the due date for non-programming assignments is the start of class on that date unless otherwise stated. The due date for programming assignments is 8 a.m. the next day.

Readings:

Students are expected to have read the paterial before coming to class. The schedule is at the of the Syllabus.

Grading:

The weights for the final grade are: Homework assignments 10% Tests (2) 30% Final exam: 25% Project: 25% Quizzes: 5% Student presentation 5%
The final will be comprehensive. Assignments will be graded on a 10 point scale, so that 90% is an "A", etc. The project will be due on the last day of class.

Almost every exercise will have a written part: essay questions on exams or documentation and reports on programming assignments. Treat the writing seriously. This means use complete sentences with proper grammar and spelling.

Method of Evaluation and Grading Policy:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Recognize how a computer system may be modified to accomodate human diversity;
• Demonstrate an understanding of principles and theories influencing human computer interaction;
• Apply principles of human-computer interface design to software and interface design;
• Select an effective syle for a specific application;
• Design and carry out evaluations of interfaces;
• Recognize and apply principles of user interface design;
• Carry out the steps of interactive design, testing, and evaluation of human computer interaction systems.

Prerequisites:

CIS 313 Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis or consent of the instructor.

Instruction

Classroom

There will be classroom lectures, discussions, student presentations and demonstrations.

Assignments:

There will be a series of programming and non-programming assignments ending with the project. The programming assignments are in Java. Note: the due date for non-programming assignments is the start of class on that date unless otherwise stated. The due date for programming assignments is 8 a.m. the next day.

Readings:

Students are expected to have read the material before coming to class. The schedule is at the end of the syllabus.

Grading:

The weights for the final grade are:

Homework assignments	10%
Tests (2)	30%
Final exam:	25%
Project:	25%
Quizzes	5%
Student presentation	5%

The final will be comprehensive. Assignments will be graded on a 10 point scale, so that 90% is an ``A'', etc. The project will be due on the last day of class.

Almost every exercise will have a written part: essay questions on exams or documentation and reports on programming assignments. Treat the writing seriously. This means use complete sentences with proper grammar and spelling.

Course Requirements:

• Attendance: Students are expected to be present and on time for each class meeting since tardiness and absenteeism create problems for both the student and the class. Any absence which may be eligible for an excuse must be reported to the instructor before or during the first return to class. The attendance record is also considered in borderline cases and will definitely influence the final grade.
• Reading Assignments: Reading assignments from the text and from literature in the field will be given. These assigments should be completed before coming toe class since this will add to the understanding of the subject matter.
• Academic Honesty: Cheating will not be tolerated by me or by Spelman College: check the policy on academic honesty in the college catalog. Assignments are to be completed by yourself. Don't copy other students' programs and don't allow your work to be copied. In addition to the rules explicitly stated in this syllabus, students shall be governed by the rules of Spelman College; therefore it is the student's responsibility to become familiar with the rules and regulations of the College.
• Late Policy: No makeup tests will be given except by PRIOR agreement with the professor. Any assignments turned in late will be be counted off 10% per day. Homework will not be accepted late, as it will be discussed in class on the day it is due.
• Snow Policy: If for any reason a class is not held at the assigned time, all work scheduled for that day is automatically rescheduled for the next scheduled class period. Any projects, assignments, or homeworks due on a missed day become due at the next scheduled class period. Similarly, any tests scheduled for a class period which is not held at the assigned time will be given at the next scheduled class period.
• Accommodation: If you have a learning disability or any other special need, please contact me and we can discuss it.

Required Textbook

Schneiderman, Ben. Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interactions (third edition). Addison Wesley, 1997.

References

Preece, Jenny, Yvonne Rogers, Helen Sharp, David Benyon, Simon Holland, and Tom Carey. Human-computer Interaction. Addison-Wesley, 1994.

Carroll, John M. (Editor). Designing Interaciton: Psychology at the Human-Computer Interface.

Hix, Deborah and H. Rex Hartson. Developing User Interfaces: Ensuring Usability through Product and Process. John Wiley and Sons, 1993.

Tentative test dates: February 9, March 9, April 13, 1998.

Course Outline:

	Introduction
Jan 14	Chap 1: Human Factors
Jan 17	Jan 17, MLK Day, Chap 2. Theories, Principles, and Guidelines
	The Design Process
Jan 24	Chap 3: Managing the Process, Chap 4: Evaluation
Jan 31	Chap 4: Evaluation, (cont), Chap 5: Tools
Feb 7	Chap 5: Tools for Design Support
	Interface Approaches
Feb 14	Feb 14, Test 1, Chap 6: Environments
Feb 21	Chap 7: Menus, Forms and Dialog, Chap 8: Language Types
Feb 28	Chap 8: Language Types (cont), Chap 9: Devices
	Factors Affecting Interface Design
Mar 6	Chap 10: User Limitations and Expectations
Mar 13	May 13-17, Spring Break
Mar 20	Chap 11: Presentation Styles , Chap 12: Manuals
Mar 27	Chap 12: Manuals (cont)
Apr 3	Apr 3, Test 2, Presentations
Apr 10	Chap 13: Multiple-Window Strategies, Apr 21, Good Friday
Apr 17	Afterword: Ethical and Legal Issues
	Current Areas of Research and Application
Apr 24	Chap 14: Computer-supported Cooperative Work, Chap 15: Visualization
May 1	Chap 16: Hypermedia and the Web

Note: Last day of Classes: Wednesday, May 3, 2000.

Method of Evaluation:

Three tests will be given. Quizzes (usually unannounced) will also be given. There will be no make-up quizzes. Make-up tests will be given only upon presentation of a valid excuse from the office of the dean. Homework exercises will be required from time to time.

Each student will be expected to complete an interface design project using Java. The project includes a design, testing, and evaluation phases. In addition, each student will be expected to present one or more articles of current research in the area of Hunman Computer Interaction from computing literature. The student will be expected to write a short summary or the article and present or lead class discussion of the topic.

The final project will be due on the last day of class. However, there will be announced dates for turning in design, evaluation, and other documents. Each student is expected to have her project evaluated by peers. The results of this evaluation become part of the final project materials to be turned in.

All returned graded work must be retained by the student in case there is any question about grading. Spelman College discourages extra credit assignments.

Course Policy

• Collaboration: Students are expected to work independently. If group assignments are made, it will be indicated in class. Group study and review is, however, desirable.

In addition to the rules explicitly stated in this syllabus, students shall be governed by the rules of Spelman College; therefore it is the student's responsibility to become familiar with the rules and regulations of the College.