COMPSCI 705 : Advanced Topics in Human Computer Interaction

Science

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Human aspects of computer systems, relevant to commercial solution development and computer science research. Sample topics: advanced evaluation methods; support of pen and touch-based interaction; trends with domain specific user interface design, such as interfaces for enterprise systems. Recommended preparation: COMPSCI 345 or SOFTENG 350.

Course Overview

This course focuses on recent research in Human Computer Interaction, covering a broad variety of topic areas and domains. As HCI is involved in all end-user software, there are myriad software applications that relate to HCI. In this course, we focus on research methods, critically evaluating research involving human computer interaction, synthesizing results from published research. Several guest lectures will discuss the applications of HCI in their own domains and research areas.

A major component of this course is the research project, which will be conducted in teams. In the first week of the course you will select a project topic. In the first half of the semester you will carry out a literature review related to that topic and write an individual report. In parallel with that, and with more intensity in the second half of the semester, you will work with your team to conduct a research project, including design and implementation of software as well as data collection. The artefact you produce and a written report of your work will be jointly developed and submitted by your team. Each group will present their project to the class and submit their project and reports before the end of the semester.  

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: Approval of the Academic Head or nominee Restriction: SOFTENG 702

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Evaluate methods that apply to various areas in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  2. Carry out a literature review and project on a specific HCI related topic (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
  3. Acquire skills in critical thinking, academic literacy, and oral presentation (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
  4. Apply ethical best practices in HCI research (Capability 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Literature review 20% Individual Coursework
Project 30% Group Coursework
Presentation 10% Group Coursework
Research experience, readings, reflections 10% Individual Coursework
Test 30% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Literature review
Project
Presentation
Research experience, readings, reflections
Test

Special Requirements

Midterm will be during a 6:30-8:30pm time slot.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including labs and tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the test.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Selected chapters and articles will be provided online.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Other Information

The skills developed in this course are particularly useful for those wishing to have a career involving UX/UI (user experience / user interaction / user interfaces) and front-end development.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Level 1: Delivered normally as specified in delivery mode
Level 2: You will not be required to attend in person. All teaching and assessment will have a remote option. The following activities will also have an on campus option: Lectures, labs, tutorials, and office hours.
Level 3 / 4: All teaching activities and assessments are delivered remotely

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 26/01/2021 10:45 a.m.