Syllabus:

Experience Prototyping for HCI students, 7.5 Credits

Swedish name: Upplevelseprototyper för HCI-studenter

This syllabus is valid: 2011-08-29 and until further notice

Course code: 5ID143

Credit points: 7.5

Education level: Second cycle

Main Field of Study and progress level: Industrial Design: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

Grading scale: Two-grade scale

Responsible department: Umeå Institute of Design (UID)

The course covers the application of relevant technologies to create interaction prototypes. The course provides an introduction to programming, applied electronics, Phidgets (physical input and output devices), sensors and other interaction technologies. Practical exercises are carried out in building dynamic interactive prototypes. The obtained knowledge is applied in a short project. The course is divided into three sub-courses: 1. Interaction Technologies, 1,5 hp. The sub-course looks at topics as wireless communications, identification technologies, future interaction modalities, sensors and display technology. Case studies are done to illustrate how these technologies are used. 2. Tangible interaction, 1,5h p. The sub-course covers practical training in the use of Phidgets (physical input and outpout devices) or similar technologies. Lectures and laboratory sessions are mixed to illustrate the possibilities and limitations of this technology. 3. Project work - creation of interaction prototypes, 4,5 hp. The sub-course includes a practical project in which knowledge acquired during the first two sub-courses is applied. The projectwork is executed in teams and the result is presented in the form of electronic prototypes, co-called Wizard-of-Oz-experiment or simple experience prototypes. The focus of work is on building prototypes for use experience, rather than testing new technology.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student shall be able to: - describe how the interaction technologies (such as wireless communication, RFID, future interaction modalities, sensors and display technology works. - describe how Phidgets and other similar tools works and present work experience of these tools in project work. - describe current research and applications within the field. - animating a user interface, using relevant software programs such as Flash.

Required Knowledge

In order to be admitted to the course, students must have completed a BA and be admitted to the master programme in Human-Computer Interaction at Department of Informatics at Umeå University. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section). Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

Lectures and practical training under the guidance of a tutor. All sub-courses are mandatory.

Examination modes

Examination is carried out in the form of presentations of work and submission of assignments. In order to obtain credit for the course, all sub-courses and assignments must be completed with a minimum grade of Pass. Students receive a grade of either Pass (G) or Fail (U) for each assignment and sub-course as for full course. For students who have not obtained the grade Pass, other examination sessions will be arranged. A student who for two consecutive examinations for the same course or sub-course has not been passed, has the right to have another examiner appointed, if there are no special reasons against this (Higher Education Ordinance chapter 6, 22 §). The request for a new examiner shall be made in writing to the Department board of the Umeå Institute of Design. ACADEMIC CREDIT TRANSFER Equivalency credits for this course can only be given if it can be shown through transcripts and course plans that a similar course has been passed, and after the course responsible have evaluated and approved the students individual level of skills and knowledge.

Literature