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Assignments

Course Readings

Tentative Schedule

Greensheet

1. Review of two selected readings. (1^st review due February 20; 2^nd review due March 20).

Please write two critical reviews of a book, a chapter of a book, or an article. You are required to select an item that is NOT on the reading list but is relevant to your proposed topic. Submit 2 written reviews of 1-2 pages double-spaced. Be prepared to report in class.

Students may angle most assignments towards their chosen schemes. In this way each student will build up a portfolio of materials reflecting the course content in relation to the chosen scheme.

 

2. Term Project.

Select a system/service you are interested in and/or familiar with. The term project is developed through the following steps: identifying and describing the (potential) users of the system/service; identifying the basic functionality of the system/service; making justifiable decisions about the design; and specifying usability criteria for later evaluation of the interface.

The following work on the project must be completed on the dates listed, and hand in for feedback. You do not need to follow every single aspect strictly, but the following guidelines do give you some ideas of material that should be covered.

Part I (Due March 6)

• Preliminary description of users of the system/service
• Preliminary description of the task(s) to be supported by the system/service

Part II (Due May 8)

• Identify five strengths/weaknesses to be the focus of your evaluative comments. Of the five, one or two points should focus on strengths of the design (i.e., aspects that should be retained in the design). The remaining three or four points should focus on problems in the design (i.e., aspects that should be improved).
• For each of the five points:

1. Describe the aspect of the design being discussed, and state whether it is a strength or a weakness;
2. Support your evaluation with a rationale, based on the user analysis, the task analysis, the observation; the experience, and the literature, as appropriate.

Grading:

1. Class participation (15%)
2. Reading assignments (20%)
3. Presentation (15%)
4. Term project (50%)